The party gained its first two MEPs in the June elections, had a MSP elected in Scotland and also made record gains in local elections.

The party's principle speaker Dr Mike Woodin told the BBC the four-day Southport meeting would be a "celebratory conference".

PR benefit

He said: "What we have learnt over this last year, especially the Euro elections campaign, is that we ran a particularly slick and professional campaign.

"We paid more attention to getting the message right and presenting it in terms that ordinary voters could understand."

Jean Lambert: Elected as an MEP in June

Dr Woodin admitted the use of proportional representation in the European and regional elections had benefited the party.

He said it was no accident that the party was represented in all levels of government in UK apart from Westminster, which still had the first past the post system

Dr Woodin added: "There are moves a foot to get PR for Westminster.

"Even without it, we've shown at local level, where you still have first past the post, that with sustained campaigning all year round we win seats there and I think we can do the same at Westminster.

"Particularly, because we're now more visible with MEPs and an MSP as well."

Drug criticism

The party has been criticised for selling books on its Website promoting drug use.

The party has long supported the decriminalisation of small-scale possession of all drugs and greater access to drug testing for ecstasy users.

Dr Woodin said the state of current drugs law was "an ass".