On members’ behalf, ISPAL is monitoring the Party leaders’ statements at the three main conferences - starting with Prime Minister Brown’s first speech to Labour party members.

Brown’s was a speech with an election in mind; maybe not this autumn, but he laid the groundwork of his and New Labour’s case to the electorate.

In a series of key rallying calls, he talked of the British values he stood for, then of major policy areas, like the economy, housing, health, climate change, crime, etc.

He talked much about children. There were new pledges on education, with an emphasis upon more 1 to 1 teaching and more student grant aid.

And our industry? The PM referred just once to the Olympic Games, but repeated his commitment to a minimum of five hours’ sport each week for every schoolchild; to the need for more collective action against obesity, for more healthy living; and to creating more “youth centres” using dormant financial assets (but, ISPAL understands that this proposed government raid on private assets will draw fierce opposition in both Houses of Parliament).

One feature of this Labour Conference is that it’s been attended by some sporting figures. The FA chief executive, Brian Barwick, compered a football quiz night; Nic Coward, head of the British Horseracing Authority, chaired a Q&A for Sports Think Tank, which included Sports Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe; and Lord Coe hosted a fringe meeting on London 2012. The question is - are they lobbying effectively for our sport, parks & leisure industry??