Blogging from the Conservative Party conference this week is Tory councillor Katie Perrior

Day Five

The conference hall got the speech they were waiting for and were happy bunnies as a result.

A stage managed performance, far too long for my own liking - but the constituents and activists will go home happy and that was the aim of the game for IDS today.

He looked uncomfortable on his new platform - it was an unnecessary addition and probably cost a fair few quid.

For some reason he looked lonely up there all on his own and the stage accentuated that. It can't have been all bad though - 19 ovations later and a fantastically glam Betsy surfaced. An elegant lady, much loved by us lot even if she doesn't say very much!

So what now for the Tories? Rumours around the bars continue - some say that the chief whip will be calling all the plotters in for a stern talking to. Not sure that will deter them though.

I would love to stay that the speech today will put an end to all the gossip but I doubt it. We are a self-destructing lot, us Tories.

Which is a great shame. The patients passport, our commitment to abolish tuition fees, our policing and our pension promises are brilliant. Much better than anything we suggested under Hague.

The only problem we have now is trying to shout above the leadership talk and get the message of those policies across.

And whilst the media want our leader's scalp and the plotters continue to fuel the leadership contender stories - it will be impossible to do so. When will we learn?

Day Four

I've been told by various people that every entry to my conference diary this week has been about alcohol.

I'm assuming these people have never been to a party conference before.

It would have been rude not to go along to tonight's BBC party - and a jolly good one it was too.

Comedians Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis were there to get the party going.

They were an absolute scream - and brought the house down with jokes ranging from the Iraqi information minister to the quality of BBC journalism. I liked the comparisons.

IDS came out fighting today. Why can't he be like that more often?

The angrier he gets, the more I like him. However, the gossip surrounding leadership plots continue, and us Tories thrive on it. Saddos.

Spotted - Portillo and Maude preying on victims in the conference bar. They might as well have set up a stand with a banner saying "Sign against the leader here".

A prospective parliamentary candidate, Karen Lumley, (who I believe is due to wipe the floor with Labour in Redditch at the next election) was great in the main hall today.

She says what she thinks and doesn't care if she isn't everyone's cup of tea. A breath of fresh air, and everyone adored her.

A standing ovation from the audience and a cuddle from the leader himself. What more do you want? That one will go far.

Howard hit the nail on the head during his speech this afternoon. Labour are making huge mistakes by throwing money at public services without reform.

It's like chucking taxpayers money down a bottomless pit.

Willetts pleased the age old audience by talking about pensions.

Why Britain has a situation where our elderly (who had paid into the system throughout their lives) are scratching around for a few extra pounds income each month is beyond me.

We have more managers in hospitals than doctors or beds. We have a third of children leaving school without being able to read, write or count.

Sod the mess Blair has made of the war - he is screwing up nicely on the home front too.

Its the big one tomorrow. The speech of his career. Fingers crossed boss.

Day Three

Another late night but hangover firmly under control today.

We blagged our way into the Times party where everyone was sinking free champers.

I polished off a fair few before stumbling into the annual disco. Everybody looked extremely foolish by dancing to cheesy music and getting drunk.

At midday, Channel 4 and the Telegraph hosted a fringe event where Charles Moore interviewed Oliver Letwin.

Everyone just loved Oliver - the thinking Tory gets a thumbs up from me.

David Davis also gave a good performance this afternoon. He walked off during his standing ovation while journalists were already writing up leadership contender stories.

It wouldn't be Tory party conference without a few nutters. Today was no exception. A crazed activist took to the stage ranting on about bringing back the death penalty.

If only we could apply it to him.

I think I have finally found out why the Tories have lost their way - it's all down to the weather. Gale force winds have blown the party off course. Literally.

David Willetts, Michael Fallon and an senior advisor all lost their specs on the sea front last night.

Meanwhile the Party is holding an event in the main hall right now called "Celebrating Success".

It's designed to say well done to local councillors and candidates but they have to pay a tenner to get in. I take it there will be no mention of the success at Brent.

Day Two

"This morning started with a raging hangover - a result of a 4.00am stint in the bar.

"Spotted - Tim Yeo, surrounded by fans and sporting a David Dickenson style tan. One too many visits to the golf course me thinks.

"First off, I attended a fringe event hosted by the Independent featuring David Davis and Ken Clarke on the panel.

"A cracking event - the room was packed and they had to turn people away.

"Both Ken and David emphasised the point I find most annoying about my party - we spend too much time bitching about ourselves, and we should stop. The whole event made me proud to be a Tory.

"We had some big hitters in the main hall today - the chairman Theresa May insists that we are changing - but haven't quite got there yet.

"Our obsession with her shoe collection continues - I predict the zebra print ones she wore today will be bestsellers.

"Quote of the day belongs to May. The chairman told us about how she accused the Liberal Democrats of being loony a while back.

"The Monster Raving Loony Party wrote to complain, saying that Lib Dem policies would find no place in their party. They added: 'We're loonies, not nutters'!"

Day One

"Its cold, damp and northern. Welcome to Blackpool. As much as I love William Hague, I could kill him for committing the Tories to this conference venue - it's the pits.

"Whilst the rest of London travelled by train, I jumped on a low-cost flight from Stansted. Bliss - 40 minutes later I'm here, at half the price and five hours quicker than the train. For once in my life, sod the environment.

"White knight award goes to shadow defence secretary, Bernard Jenkin, who offered to help whilst I was faffing around at the check in desk trying to squeeze everything into my hand luggage.

"The Sunday papers tried their very best to kick start this conference on a sour note, but IDS put them right on Frost this morning. I was impressed -a strong, confident performance.

"I'm looking forward to his conference speech. I'm also keen to attend many fringe events this year - the programme is varied and interesting with lots going on.

"But for now, what else is there to do on a Sunday night but hit the bar?"