MPs and party activists are heading for Brighton, Bournemouth and Blackpool over the next few weeks as the political world springs back into life after the summer break.

So it's time to brush up your political knowledge with our conference quiz on the parties and their leaders.

Which party leader contested the Beaconsfield by-election in May 1982?

A: Iain Duncan Smith B: Tony Blair C: Charles Kennedy

How old was Charles Kennedy when he was elected to the Commons and became its youngest MP?

A: 22 B: 23 C: 24

How many of the party leaders studied at Oxford University?

A: 1 B: 2 C: 3

Which leader studied at the University of Perugia?

A: Iain Duncan Smith B: Tony Blair C: Charles Kennedy

Iain Duncan Smith arrived in the shadow cabinet in which position in 1997?

A: Defence B: Agriculture C: Social security

Tony Blair's first job as a shadow minister covered which department?

A: Treasury and economic affairs B: Home affairs C: Energy

In which year did Neil Kinnock make his famous conference speech attacking Militant councillors in Liverpool?

A: 1984 B: 1985 C: 1986

Which Liberal leader used a conference speech to urge his party to "Go back to your constituencies and prepare for government".

A: (Lord) David Steel B: (Lord) Paddy Ashdown C: Charles Kennedy

In which year did Margaret Thatcher famously declare: !You turn if you want to. The lady's not for turning!?

A: 1980 B: 1981 C: 1982

Complete this famous phrase from a party leader’s conference speech... "We are coming slowly, painfully to an autumn of understanding. I hope it will be followed by a winter of...

A: Pragmatism B: Renewal C: Common sense