Conference season is upon us. For most people, that probably sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry. But party conferences actually matter far more than you might think.

They are where political parties set out their priorities for the year ahead - the policies they want to champion, the issues they want to focus on and, importantly, where MPs can meet businesses, charities, campaign groups and other organisations to discuss how we can improve the lives of the people we represent.

For the Liberal Democrats, the party I am part of, conference lasts four days. This year, we gathered in Brighton. So, as most people, including me before I got into politics, won’t know what goes on inside a conference, I thought I would take you through what an average day actually looks like.

My first day began with me opening conference with a 15-minute speech setting out our party’s position on Europe.

Fifteen minutes may not sound like a long time, but the speech had taken months to prepare. It was not simply about speaking to the members in the room. It was about setting out our position to members, businesses and stakeholders, while also providing a clear message for journalists and the wider public.

Once the speech was over, there was no chance to put my feet up.

I headed straight into meetings and interviews with GB News, LBC and the BBC, discussing my thoughts on conference, our policies and, of course, the atmosphere in Brighton.

Then came the stakeholder meetings.

One of the most useful that day was with Specsavers, where we discussed eye care services in Surrey Heath.

As things stand, there is no local commissioning of Community Minor and Urgent Eye Care Services in the constituency. This means residents can be unnecessarily referred to hospital for a range of eye conditions, despite community optometrists having the skills and capacity to provide much of this care locally, often right there on the high street.

Surrey and Sussex ICB is one of only five integrated care systems nationally not to commission the service.

That statistic is truly astonishing when residents are being sent to hospital unnecessarily simply because the right service is not available locally.

This is exactly why conferences matter. Meetings with organisations such as Specsavers give me the opportunity to understand where Surrey Heath is being disadvantaged, ask questions and, importantly, take those issues away with me to pursue with the Integrated Care Board.

And that was just one meeting.

The day continued with more discussions like this, alongside an international focus. I met ambassadors and senior officials from across Europe, as well as representatives of the Government of Gibraltar, with whom I have worked closely.

There were also fringe events, panel discussions and receptions. Each provided another opportunity to hear different perspectives, challenge my own thinking and make connections that can ultimately benefit the people I represent.

Before I knew it, it was time for bed.

More than 15 hours after the day had started, I finally called it a night - knowing I would be doing much the same thing for another three days.

Conference is exhausting. There is no getting around that.

But it is also incredibly valuable.

I know conferences attract criticism, particularly over why MPs are not sitting in Parliament during these four days. I understand that. But what can sometimes be missed is just how much work takes place away from conference.

Some of the meetings I have at conference are among the most useful I have all year. They allow me to discuss real issues affecting Surrey Heath and take those conversations back home to get things done.

So, while conference season may not be everyone’s idea of fun, for those of us in politics, it is four very long - but very important - days.

And, yes, there is the occasional reception and cup of coffee along the way.

Mostly, though, it is meetings, speeches, interviews, policy discussions and a lot of walking around Brighton trying to work out where the next meeting is.

Then you do it all again the next morning.