While the pre-election party conferences are known for the fast flowing plethora of visions and promises, their post-election pendants tend to lose some of the optimism with an exception of a winning party.

This year, though, it will be different.

None of the parties got exactly what they were gunning or hoping for.

Take Labour, for example. They reluctantly jumped the reformist band-wagon too make themselves attractive in the eyes of the Liberal Democrats Labour thought would need to stay in power - things were set for a hung parliament even back in September 2009. Despite the lack of authority, Gordon Brown managed to sound prime ministerial. Overall, the party looked it could suffer a narrow victory.

It didn't happen and, following a bitter election lost, Labour is in opposition and without a party leader. Miliband brothers are set for a family showdown in the run-up to the party conference that starts on September 26. The winner will be announced on September 25.

There will be a beaming winner and four gracious losers because little pretentiousness doesn't hurt.

But rather than celebrating with a new leader, Labour needs to redefine its identity and attacking Liberal Democrats will not do more than attract few cheers and applauses. The task will not be an easy one given the state of the party but at least the delegates will not have to investigate who's to blame for the election disaster as he is long gone.

The Liberal Democrats party conference that starts on September 18 will not be any less interesting.

The Lib Dems were hoping for a breakthrough and came on the edge of it. The election result, despite losing a seat, was a success as the popular share actually increased and the party is a part of the government.

Despite approving the coalition deal with the Conservatives via the tight triple lock system, there's still significant dissent within the party.

The leaders will have to explain and persuade the membership base that the recent slump in the opinion poles is nothing to worry about.

Lib Dems should concentrate to highlight the positives of their role as the coalition partner and set the pro-reform agenda in preparation for the referendum on constitutional reform.

The Conservative Party hoped for the outright victory but had to settle for a coalition and the party conference, commencing on October 3, will certainly discuss that.

Many in the party would prefer minority government and, within the group, there are some 19th century MPs who oppose any constitutional reform agenda, never mind the change of the election system.

Security will be extremely tight as the intelligence suggests Irish republican dissenters may attempt an attack on the conference in Birmingham. Echoes of the 1984 conference in Brighton where five people died in the Provisional IRA bombing resonate again.

Despite that, David Cameron will likely enjoy mild triumph as he will lead celebrations of the conservative government becoming reality after 13 years.

Kristian Klima

Photo: ISIFA