ePolitix.com explores the highlights and lowlights of this year's Labour Party conference.
Labour party activists will gather in the seaside resort of Brighton this weekend for their last autumn conference before the general election.
There will be four days of platform speeches, on the theme of building Britain's future, from leading party figures in the conference hall, but the real fun is to be had at the more than 400 fringe events.
As ever, it is a mix of the serious, the curious and the strange.
On Monday, for example, the Labour Animal Welfare Society will be holding a fringe meeting entitled: "Labour must win for animals followed by karaoke".
Minister Angela Smith will be there - there are many songs she could choose to sing, we are rooting for Please Release Me.
This conference is expected to see a resurgence of 'old Labour' activists convinced the party leadership will change in 2010.
The first fringe event sets the scene: Bearded Islington MP Jeremy Corbyn and Heathrow expansion rebel (and Mace wielder) John McDonnell will hold a delegates' get together and briefing on Saturday at 4.45pm.
Veteran left-winger Tony Benn is much in demand at conference this year – in fact on Monday evening he is scheduled to appear at two events – A CND fringe on Trident and a Labour Representation Committee gig – both beginning at 7.00pm.
For a man in his eighties, that is pretty impressive, though trumped by Polly Toynbee, the estimable Guardian columnist, who is booked for at least eight appearances.
Sunday morning starts with a conference church service organised by the Christian Socialist Movement – the prime minister will be in attendance and is expected to speak.
At 12.45pm Demos is hosting a fringe with Labour star and business minister David Lammy, former cabinet minister James Purnell and Olympics minister Tessa Jowell.
The event is hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy from Channel 4 News.
Lammy is back at 5.45pm, this time with two other rising stars, NUS president Wes Streeting and Chuka Umunna, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Streatham.
The million+ and NUS fringe asks what Labour will promise students – a pledge to abolish tuition fees seems unlikely.
The PM will be speaking at a trade union reception at 5.30pm (invite only) while MP Paddy Tipping and energy secretary Ed Miliband (touted as Labour's next leader) will be discussing the priorities for the party's manifesto at the same time.
The chief minister of Gibraltar will be holding a reception, also at 5.30pm.
Among other eye-catching fringe appearances on Sunday are senior Tory David "two brains" Willetts (the Demos Power Debate), former prime minister of Spain Felipe Gonzalez (Fast Forward: Labour's case for high speed rail) and Haris Sophoclides, president of the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood (Cyprus reception).
ePolitix.com has comprehensive fringe coverage at conference – click here to access our fringe calendar.
The peace settlement in Northern Ireland will be on the agenda when members of Sinn Fein and the Progressive Unionist Party speak at fringes on Sunday, though not at the same event.
There is also a preponderance of rallies.
At 6.00pm Progress will be rallying with Tessa Jowell, foreign secretary David Miliband, justice secretary Jack Straw and former MP Oona King, while Compass has courted controversy by inviting Caroline Lucas to their event at 7.30pm.
Lucas, leader of the Green Party, has set her sights on winning Brighton Pavilion from Labour at the next election.
Her party has even launched an advertising campaign around the city to coincide with conference with the slogan "Labour is old news in Brighton," accompanied by an image of a tired-looking Gordon Brown made out of newsprint.
So no doubt she will receive a rapturous reception.
The Compass rally will also be attended by Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman, communities secretary John Denham, MP Jon Cruddas, Lammy and Toynbee.
Will Hutton from the Work Foundation will be sharing a platform with minister for disabled people Johnathan Shaw and the Guardian's David Brindle at the Shaw Trust fringe at 7.30pm, entitled "Can Labour get the UK working again?"
Also on Sunday, Tony Benn will be at a Labour Against The War fringe entitled: "War: Labour's New Legacy!" There is a modest £1 admission fee.
At 8.00pm the fun continues with a choice of free food.
The National Association of Local Councils is having a free bangers and mash reception, which we take to mean a reception at which bangers and mash will be served, rather than a reception urging the release of caged sausages and mashed potatoes around the world.
Or you can opt for the curry option at the RSPCA beer and curry night – cabaret will be provided by Defra minister Jim Fitzpatrick.
If you thought Sunday was busy, Monday is even more action-packed.
It can be difficult to keep on top of everything at conference, which is why it is comforting to know that the excellent ePolitix.com fringe guide not only provides a comprehensive list of fringe events, you can also use it organise your personal schedule.
Monday morning presents a range of fringes before 9.00am, including two each from the Fabians and the Social Market Foundation. The good work starts early.
For those of a more sedate disposition, pop star Feargal Sharkey of UK Music will be at a fringe starting at 12.30pm about the future of music. Snake-hipped culture secretary Ben Bradshaw will be there too.
There was some excitement at the news that David Frost will be chairing British Chamber of Commerce event at 12.45pm but it turns out it isn't that David Frost, which is a shame because Frost vs. (Jim) Knight has a nice ring to it.
At the same time Tory blogger Tim Montgomerie will be stepping into the lion's den at a Demos event to talk equality with Lammy and EHRC chairman Trevor Phillips.
In fact there are a whopping 24 fringe events beginning at 12.45pm on Monday.
Business secretary Lord Mandelson's turn at the RSA event, "Public services in a cold climate", might be worth a look if the other 23 don't inspire.
At 1.00pm there is a Chinese for Labour event entitled "Don't forget the Chinese vote".
The group is hoping Lord Mandelson and Harman will show they haven't by coming along – former minister Ian McCartney is definitely going.
Also at 1.00pm another former minister, Charles Clarke, who isn't exactly a fan of the prime minister, will be addressing a Fabian Society fringe alongside Lib Dem deputy leader Vince Cable and the ubiquitous Lammy.
Among the more unusual fringe appearances on Monday are the Azerbaijani ambassador to the UK, Fakhraddin Gurbanov, and former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who will be attending a Smith Institute event on broken families.
At 5.45pm former minister Nick Raynsford and Alan Simpson, chair of the parliamentary all party warm homes group, will be speaking at an event on building design, health and wellbeing organised by VELUX.
The admirable organisation Every Disabled Child Matters will be holding a fringe at 6.00pm at the Thistle Hotel with schools secretary Ed Balls.
Only problem is the venue does not have wheelchair access, according to the conference guide.
Meanwhile at a Fabian Society fringe Toynbee will be asking Tim Montgomerie and Spectator editor Fraser Nelson, "who are the new Conservatives?"
At 8.00pm on Monday night, the current attorney general Baroness Scotland is due to attend a Diversity Nite (sic) at the Tru club alongside Harman, Miliband (D), Welsh secretary Peter Hain and MP Diane Abbott.
Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone and telegenic historian Tristram Hunt will be discussing cities at an Urban Hub fringe, also at 8.00pm.
At the same time TV presenters Tricia Goddard and Fiona Phillips will be chatting about health at a topical debate wittily entitled "Have we got health news for you".
The organisers, aware of the popularity of Tricia among Labour activists, have wisely opted to make it an invitation-only event.
Did we mention the ePolitix.com fringe guide is also available on your mobile? It could come in handy. It looks particularly good on an iPhone at ePolitix.com/labour-mobile
Tuesday's highlights include a Demos fringe on the future of British defence policy (12.45pm with Bill Rammell) and an EHRC event on equality with Trevor Phillips and Maria Eagle, also at 12.45pm.
At 1.00pm TV doctor Phil Hammond will be appearing at a 2020health.org event and Duncan Smith will be at a Fabian fringe on beating poverty. He will be joined by Yvette Cooper, the work and pensions secretary.
The Chinese ambassador will be at a 5.30pm fringe organised by his embassy.
Ambassador Fu Ying will be joined by Miliband (E) and minister Ivan Lewis to talk climate change.
Chancellor Alastair Darling and CBI chief Richard Lambert will be discussing the economy at a Fabian fringe at 6.00pm, while Total Politics will be chatting to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Sadiq Khan about trust in politics.
Labour Friends of Israel will be holding their invite-only reception at 9.30pm. The prime minister and foreign secretary are expected to pop along.
At the same time Lord Mandelson will be the star turn at a small business reception hosted by the FSB.
Finally at 10.00pm the Christian Socialist Movement presents Andy Flanagan in concert. He will be performing "justice-themed songs as heard on radio and TV".
On Wednesday there are just three morning fringes, the pick being the National Autistic Society breakfast with minister for care services Phil Hope.
At 12.30pm the BBC's Nick Robinson will be showcasing the broadcaster's new Democracy Live service.
And at 1.00pm there will be a debate on new opportunities for the UK workforce, organised by the Skills Dialogue Group. Business minister Lord Young will joined by Andreas Goss from Siemens UK.
Conference closes at 12.45pm but there will still be a last chance to see Lord Mandelson (Progress fringe on the economy) and Tony Benn (Venezuela Solidarity Campaign).
Finally, Sun agony aunt Deidre Sanders will be at a Kids in the Middle event at 5.30pm along with Ed Balls. "Can kids ignore how mum and dad get on? Can we?" is the topic for discussion.
So, quite a lot of fringes to choose from.
Don't forget to access our definitive fringe guide to build your personal schedule.
Did we mention it looks really good on an iPhone? Well, it does.
