What a weekend.  Yesterday was spent with Lib Dem colleagues in discussions with the party leader and several other ministers, group leaders, council leaders and some well respected councillors from around the country, talking about the political situation, the nhs, the localism bill, banking reform and several other issues.  This morning was a much lower key event and yet also important.  Each year the newly installed mayor of Stockton takes part in a church service to celebrate that which is good about the borough and to dedicate him or herself to working for the borough.  Mayors from neighbouring authorities come to support and several organisations within the borough parade through the town centre, the proudest always being the standard bearers.  This year's mayor, Paul Baker, has chosen the Royal British Legion as one of his charities so perhaps that put an extra spring in their step.