Chris Grayling

The positives I took from Grayling's remarks:

He and the Conservative Party do understand cities more so than previous Tory administrations. If, as I expect, they are in Government next year, and Liverpool elects a Labour council, there will be no return to the type of confrontations we witnessed in the past. He was warm in his praise for Labour leader Joe Anderson describing him as 'decent' and someone he could do business with.

The tram project is not off the Tory agenda as reported in some places last month. He is prepared to look at the case for the scheme, and is meeting with Mersey Travel chief Neil Scales to review the business plan for the initiative next month. He warned that Merseyside local authorities need to be united behind any plans that are brought forward.

Liverpool will have a referendum on the issue of an elected Mayor. Grayling said he would be 'amazed' if Liverpool didn't vote in favour of changing the way the city is currently governed.

Negatives for me were:

The continued talk of Northwest Regional Development Agency abolition. The thought of local authorities across the city region being put in sole charge of strategic decisions and economic development is frightening. I hope the consultation that we have been promised by the Conservatives on this issue is genuine.

The full impact of cuts in public expenditure, however inevitable, does not seem to have registered with Chris; and his suggestions on welfare reform and changes in the law and order arena sounded like initiatives that have been tried, and failed, before.

Overall, though, it was an extremely confident, progressive and welcome presentation from the man who will be one of the most senior members of the Government this time next year.

Plus, any bloke who enjoys the music of China Crisis and has a 'crush' on Cameron Diaz, as he also revealed yesterday in a tongue in cheek end to the session, cannot be a bad 'un.