Labour's wartime spirit - fighting on the beaches and the streets
It is only when you see the packed bars and hotels here in Brighton that you remember what a big political party Labour still is. Here in the South of England they're so often outnumbered. But this week they're planning to use their strength in numbers to particular effect.
While on the beaches of Brighton Gordon Brown was fielding Andrew Marr's questions Labour Party workers are out pounding the streets of the south.
It's a concerted effort to meet as many voters face-to-face on the doorstep during conference week. "They see a human face" one Southampton Labour member told me "which is more than they'll get through the TV screen."
It's an extension of the PM's own strategy of getting as many people as possible through Downing Street. He's been sending invitations to local dignitaries up and down the country ever since he arrived. There's nothing to beat pressing the flesh - a garden party invitation to number 10 has dampened the cynicism of thousands of people.
Before today's Politics Show discussion Brighton candidate Simon Burgess was telling me about his own campaigning. He'd come hot foot from his constituency where he'd been out on the doorstep with armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth.
Some of his conversations with voters were long ones, but he believes that it is much the best way to get enthusiasm back.
One face they won't see in Southampton, however, is Gordon Brown's. Our party worker admitted his image was not one they want to push through people's doors at the moment!
Welcome to the hustings! I'm Peter Henley, the BBC's political reporter in the south of England. From parish councils in Sussex, to European politics in Oxford, this is the blog for you. 
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