It’s easy to get a bit disheartened as a Labour Party member in these times of low poll ratings and disappointing policy. But a good dose of Compass Conference yesterday cheered me up and restored my confidence in the party’s future.

I’ve been a member of Compass for about six months but this was the first event I attended. The conference format was refreshing; opening and closing speeches were followed by q&a sessions, and in between these were seminars and a Question Time style debate. We weren’t being talked at, and there was no adversarial atmosphere or polarised debate- it was all very open and easy to take part in. The discussion was intelligent and constructive.

The two seminars I chose, from a list of about thirty, were on the topics of schooling and electoral reform. The overarching theme of the conference was equality, and the schooling session, led by Melissa Benn, contained almost exclusively advocates of a wholly comprehensive system. The electoral reform session was interesting- its a cause I believe very much in, but finding a system that suits Britain and convincing any government to go with it is going to be a challenge.

Rousing speeches were given by Polly Toynbee, Jon Cruddas and Ed Miliband, amongst others. Harriet Harman gave a disappointing delivery on all women shortlists, but otherwise there was barely a view given that day that I could disagree with. It was heartening to hear everyone bursting with ideas for future policy and direction- my only worry is that it will all fall on deaf ears further up the party hirachy. If Labour could be bold enough now to take some of the ideas from that day- there were enough Government ministers there listening- and run with them in the next Queen’s speech, I reckon our fortunes could take a turn… and what excuse is there for not doing so? We have so little left to lose and potentially not much time left to make a real difference!