The Community Union and General Federationof Trades Union joint reception was notable for two things. One, they presented Tony with a little steel statuette of a man - with the words, "One man of steel to another man of steel". Community's predecessort union was noted as the only union to nominate TB for leadership in 1994 and this very much was home territory for him. He talked about how progress and modernisation in the country had been reflected in how the union had adapted in the face of change and how it was an example to other unions in this way.

The second event of note was the rather embarrassing but spontaneous rendition of happy birthday to Cherie. It struck me that for decades, she has always been at Labour Conference on her birthday - and in more recent years, I wonder if Tony has had the opportunity to take some time and do something nice for her on her birthday. It's a bit wierd thinking too long about the Blairs as they interact as a normal family.

Labour Party General Secretary Peter Watt with a CLP delegate

The Man Of Steel award

A serious moment

The Blairs

The melee that descends on the PM after a speech