Not that I would ever suggest that we don't take internal democracy seriously in the lib dems...

.... but I was slightly surprised to learn that the returning officer for our local party elections didn't think it necessary to bring ballot papers to the AGM the other day. Cue much scrambling when it turned out that there were some contested elections.

Not that the elections were supposed to be a stitch up, of course not, we are democrats you know. Next you will be suggesting that the front runner for leader of the party would run on the sole platform of "Vote for me or Paddy Ashdown will kill you with his bare hands".

[PS please don't read this as a pop at those stalwarts who volunteer to be returning officers, a key job filled by people who undoubtedly don't get the recognition they deserve.]