Blackpool might be off the map for the Labour Party Conference - but what about Bradford?

Don't laugh!

So we may not have the miles of golden sand, but who says it has to take place at the seaside?

Not only is Bradford a major city, bang in the centre of Britain. It is the Labour Party's birthplace.

The annual conference has been in Blackpool since 1985, but the party decided to break with tradition next year and hold it Bournemouth. It will then be in Brighton for the following two years - sparking protests from northern MPs.

There are plenty of leading names in the city who say Bradford hosting the event is not such a joke.

Bradford West MP Marsha Singh said: "I would love to see it happen. I think it's important the north should host it and Bradford was the foundation of the Independent Labour Party. It would be a boost for the whole region."

He even suggested holding it in Lister's Mill. "Why not make it into a conference centre?" he said.

The Labour Party started in 1890 after a violent pay demonstration at the mill. A spokesman for the workers then famously said: "We have had two parties in the past - the can'ts and the won'ts and it's time we had a party that will" - a soundbite worthy of today's spin doctors.

Businessman Brian Burton, of Bradford Breakthrough, was all for the city holding the conference. He said: "I always say nothing is out of the question. I say let's have a go at these things."

Bradford Lord Mayor Tony Cairns said the conference would really raise the city's profile.

Certainly, Bradford is hosting more top events.

Earlier this month an evening with Lloyds chief executive Sir Brian Pitman filled St George's Hall to capacity. Next week 300 business people will fill Pictureville to hear Richard Branson interviewed at the DTI conference, relayed via satellite.

The Labour Party Conference, which costs about £2m to stage, attracts in the region of 4,000 people.

But where in Bradford could you host it?

The largest venues are Bradford University and St George's Hall, each able to contain about 1,000 or more - hardly enough to house the journalists never mind the politicians.

Charles Forgan, of Bradford Congress, said: "It's a marvellous idea, but at the moment we do not have the facility. The nearest thing would be the Superdome, if it came off."

Seaside towns have been traditionally used because of the number of hotels in the area.

Bradford may not seem like everyone's top holiday spot, but the hotel trade appears to be booming.

Mr Forgan said: "If you look back five to ten years, we have come a long way."

In that time, he added, the Pennington Midland and Victoria Hotels have been successfully refurbished and the Cedar Court Hotel, sleeping a maximum of 262, has been built.

"The effect of adding good hotel accommodation is that it's being filled up as fast as it's being built," said Mr Forgan.

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