There are perils of event organising at a time of political turmoil – it just takes a beleaguered Prime Minister to call an election for all the best-laid plans to come crashing down.

It wasn't purdah problems but a lack of manifestos that stymied the speakers at the County Councils' Network conference earlier this week, as the political speakers dropped at the 11th hour. Apparently, there is not much to say when the party has yet to produce its policies – although that doesn't seem to stop the party leaders.