Russian democracy comes to Brighton

Grigory Yavlinsky in Brighton
Photo: Chris Ison/PALessons from the Russians on democratic politics were heard in the main hall of the Lib Dems' conference in Brighton today, under the tutelage of Grigory Yavlinsky, leader of the Russian Democratic party.

Simon Hughes, the Lib Dems' president, prefaced Mr Yavlinsky's speech by claiming that the undemocratic political system in Russia was not "enlightened enough" to embrace liberalism.

But a point of principle was in tow, namely the role of parties destined to stay in opposition rather than having much chance of forming a government.

The Russian liberals stand even less chance of that than their UK counterparts in the near future.