Politics and journalism

In France, the annual political party beanfest is called   'université d'été' or Campus if you're the UMP. They're usually held in hot and sunny holiday resorts where the sound of the cigale still rings in the ears They herald the end of the summer holidays and the arrival of the 'Rentrée'. In the UK the party political conferences start up mid-September and are usually held in seaside resorts more ofter favoured by the 'Grey Market'. This week sees the Labour Party Conference. Testing times for Gordon Brown, whose popularity has plummeted and behind the scenes mutterings suggest some serious Shakespearean plotting.  A vital part of these conferences are the media centres that pump out comment, rumour, debate and news and analysis at speedy rate of knots.  Rose Prince from the Daily Telegraph gives us an insight into her daily routine during these events.  She also keeps a regular blog.