National loses in the hospitality stakes

Journalists tend to enjoy (or not find as onerous) the National Party conference as traditionally they understand the meaning of hospitality and have the media room well stocked with refreshments and nibbles. And no this is not the media being precious – but when you beaver away for hours on end, it is nice to have some sustenance.

But alas this year the cupboard is not just bare, but missing in action. Apart from two bottles of water there is nothing. No crackers, no biscuits, no fruit juice let alone the usual beer, wine and hot savouries.

And it is even worse inside the hall on the media bench – they have not even supplied water!!

Grumpy, hungry, thirsty journalists are not the sort I would want covering my conference!

UPDATE: National’s reputation is upheld, as refreshments are being made available – and not due to this blog post. A staffer tells me that they never provide them until after lunch (don’t want journos starting drinking too early in the day) but that said refreshments were planned and provided for. So I happily retract any implications of inhospitable behaviour from our fine hosts 🙂