Conference - kids and parents not welcome early

After waiting, and waiting, and waiting, for our son Jed's (aged 2) Labour conference visitor pass to turn up, we finally managed to get through to Conference Services today.

They said:

- for some reason not a single child's pass has been printed yet - despite most having been received before 31 July
- every parent will have to queue up at Late Accreditation to collect their children's passes

OK, we said, we're coming down on Saturday because the London Region reception starts at 6pm - which is the official welcome to conference for London members. It's in the secure zone so even a 2 year old needs a pass to get in. We'd like to pop in to meet other delegates and visitors from our region. Not least because Jed's dad needs their votes for the NPF election. And it starts at a time that's suitable for Jed. When can we start queuing?

- you can't. Late Accreditation opens on Sunday.

So the average age of the Greater London Labour Party reception will go up a bit, and one of us will be sat in a hotel room watching c-Beebies with a pass-less Jed instead of meeting our fellow delegates and visitors.

Irritating for us, but a really huge issue for other people with kids who have booked into the couple of hotels inside the secure zone - how do they check in to their hotels without passes? If they are planning to be there on Saturday night it will often be because their work requires them to be there early.

Not very good logistical planning from what's supposed to be a family friendly party.

If conference organisers are reading this, please sort out a solution e.g. pass free admission for children on the Saturday.