Wales@Westminster newslog

Lord Roberts - room with a record deck

It's Wales@Westminster weblog, BBC Wales' Parliamentary correspondent David Cornock's diary on political life.

Monday, 18 September

Brighton rocks for minister with sound

posted by David | 0810 BST |

If it's Monday, it must be Brighton. Greetings from the Liberal Democrat conference - the curtain-raiser to the party conference season, the political equivalent of the Community Shield.

This year will see Tony Blair's last conference as leader, David Cameron's first and, quite possibly, Sir Menzies Campbell's first and last. Best to get the cheap jokes out of the way early on.

Brighton is a fun place to hold a conference, as guests at some of the city's hotels are discovering.

The Rev (Lord) Roger Roberts of Llandudno is a 70-year-old Methodist preacher and veteran Liberal Democrat peer and activist.

He is staying in what is known as the "Rough Trade Rough Nite" room at Hotel Pelirocco, one of the many boutique hotels that have sprung up in Brighton in recent years.

Inspired by the original Rough Trade Record Shop in west London, the room offers a Sony PS2 console and a record deck with headphones and Rough Trade promos to play. Lord Roberts could have a new career as a DJ to look forward to.

He has steered clear of an alternative suite on offer. The Durex Play Room is described as the ultimate "dirty weekend" suite. The hotel says it's dedicated to "all things decadent and indulgent. Think burlesque, kitsch and sexy boudoir all rolled into one."

Hotel Pelirocco bills itself as "England's most rock 'n roll boutique hotel." Where better for the original manic street preacher to rest his head?