Having returned from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, the largest Labour conference ever, I have been able to reflect on the highlights.

Amongst all the speeches, fringe events, panel discussions and conversations with politicians from the UK and overseas, there were two less high profile events that will probably live most fondly in my memory. The first was little to do with the conference itself – it was an early morning sea swim in Liverpool docks arranged by our friends at Surfers Against Sewage.

Anyone that knows anything about Party conferences knows that the conversations go on late into the night, so the idea of getting up especially early, pulling on my shorty and jumping into Liverpool docks, didn’t exactly have me bounding out of bed! But there I found myself at 8am, all togged up ready to jump in. And the atmosphere was absolutely lovely.

There were some MPs but there were also journalists, lobbyists, campaigners – all sorts, in fact. And the best thing about it: we barely spoke about politics at all! The conversation was all about the power of open water swimming and where in the country and how often we are lucky enough to do it. Weirdly, once in the water, I then bumped into my ex-sister-in-law who now campaigns to promote use of lidos through the country. To my shame, she was able to tell me more about Hayle lido than I was!

It was a thoroughly refreshing experience – both physically and mentally. The second highlight of the Labour Party conference came as I was literally walking out the door for the last time. One of the exhibition stands caught my eye and I headed over. It was the stand dedicated to the protection of wildlife and the banning of hunting with dogs.

I know that there are many other priorities for us in Camborne, Redruth and Hayle – not least housing, mental health, employment, the NHS, the sewage scandal, crime and antisocial behaviour. And anyone that follows my activities knows that I’m very focussed on these. But I am an unashamed animal lover and I cannot stand human cruelly to animals. I will also not tolerate the nonsense arguments in favour of fox hunting or, in fact, hunting any wild animal with dogs.

There is simply no excuse in 21st century Britain for the ‘sport’ of watching a live wild animal being ripped to shreds by a pack of dogs. I am proud that the Labour manifesto committed to closing loopholes that allow this nasty practice to continue. I am well aware that it still happens in our constituency and will be pushing hard in Westminster to make the tweaks to the law we need and then following through with local police to ensure that the full force of law in applied.

The Labour Party conference contained many wonderful highlights and the direction of travel for the government’s decade of renewal is set. But sometimes it’s the little spontaneous moments on the fringes of the main event which have the greatest impact. Making time for such moments is priceless.

Perran Moon

Labour MP for Camborne and Redruth