Lord Bonkers Recounts Alpacas at Lib Dem Conference

The former MP for Rutland South West shares his weekly diary entry.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:35am

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A cinematic painting depicting a group of alpacas sitting in the front row of a dimly lit political conference hall, their fuzzy forms bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conveying a sense of the unusual and the unexpected in the world of British politics.A whimsical scene of alpacas attending a political conference, reflecting the quirky and eccentric nature of British politics.York Today

In his latest diary entry, Lord Bonkers, a former Liberal MP for Rutland South West, recounts attending the Liberal Democrat party conference and finding that party leader Ed Davey had seated a group of alpacas in the front row during his speech. Bonkers also shares his thoughts on visiting the city of York and enjoying a drink at The Blue Bell pub.

Why it matters

Lord Bonkers' diary provides a whimsical and humorous insider's perspective on the goings-on of the Liberal Democrat party. His recounting of the alpacas at the party conference offers a quirky anecdote that speaks to the party's efforts to connect with unusual constituencies.

The details

According to Bonkers, he decided to skip the leader's speech at the Liberal Democrat conference and instead spent his time at The Blue Bell pub in York. There, he was told that party leader Ed Davey had seated a group of alpacas in the front row during his speech, which Bonkers described as 'poor empty-headed creatures' who 'will vote for anyone who admires their hairstyles'.

  • Bonkers visited The Blue Bell pub in York over the weekend.
  • The Liberal Democrat party conference took place earlier this week.

The players

Lord Bonkers

A former Liberal MP for Rutland South West who is known for writing a whimsical weekly diary.

Ed Davey

The current leader of the Liberal Democrat party.

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What they’re saying

“Poor empty-headed creatures, they will vote for anyone who admires their hairstyles.”

— Lord Bonkers, Former Liberal MP

The takeaway

Lord Bonkers' diary provides a unique and humorous perspective on the inner workings of the Liberal Democrat party, offering readers a glimpse into the quirky and eccentric world of British politics.