Big Conversation

I have a couple of issues with the “Big Conversation”:

1. It’s a complete waste of time. Tony Blair doesn’t listen to his backbenchers or his party conference… there’s no way he’ll listen to the rest of us.

2. It’s been stated that the results will be used for Labour’s manifesto for the next election. In that case, does this mean that Labour is paying for this “Big Conversation” or is the tax payer?