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Northern Lib Dems were pretty chipper at their Reception last night.

For a start, unlike their southern counterparts, they are not facing a fierce Tory onslaught and the prospect of losing seats.

Instead they may even add to their numbers, with real hopes of gains in Newcastle and Durham.

But they have some grumbles.

The from a pledge to an "aspiration" hasn't gone down well,

Especially when you consider how important the student vote might be in Newcastle and Durham.

And there was more grumbling about the leadership's proposal to scrap regional development agencies like One North East and Yorkshire Forward.

There was some talk last night though about the way the party could change after the next election.

The power balance of the party is in the South at the moment, but if Lib Dems lose seats there while gaining them in the North that might just shift.

For instance, Northern Lib Dems tend to be on the left of the party.

Many became politically active during and because of Thatcherism.

So a party with their influence to the fore could look very different in 2010.

That might even influence who they'd stomach supporting in the event of a hung parliament.

Oh, and much to my joy I also spotted on the way to the Lib Dem northern night.

I decided not to push her on the Big Ted issue - see previous post.

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