Rugby provides the thrills at tame conference

THE sense of confidence and roar of unity pushing the Reds on to inevitable victory was all-pervasive at the Labour conference.

But then, Munster’s triumph over the French was never really in doubt. As the delegates trickled away from the TV screens, it was a much more timid affair.

Pat Rabbitte didn’t ask us to read his lips, but did pledge no new taxes as the message was rammed home that the road to democratic socialism would be paved with well-costed pragmatism.