Liberal Democrat conference

Having been to the G8 I knew that a party conference was a big event on the political calendar, but I didn't know what to expect. In Bournemouth, for the Liberal Democrat conference, the first thing I noticed was the sandy beaches, a breath of fresh air - something you don't get in Birmingham.

Standing outside the venue my nerves began to kick in and I felt under pressure. I was surprised that there were not that many people there and not much media interest, and that made me feel almost sorry for the Lib Dems. I was shocked by the lack of security; all they did was check our bags. Everywhere I looked, people were wearing suits, which made me stand out like a sore thumb with my bright hooded top, diamond earrings and gold teeth. Unlike me, the few young people I did meet at conference had been brought up in a political environment and made the assumption that all young people shared the same understanding and education, which they don't. Their replies showed that they couldn't relate to where I was coming from.

Two hours later I found myself interviewing Nick Clegg. I was surprised that there was no security present and that it was so easy to get to him. I was pleased he was able to provide time for me but I didn't feel he understood my point of view. I asked him if the lack of young people interested in politics was down to education. He said he didn't think it was about education. From personal experience, I know it is but I felt as though he wasn't listening. I'm from another world where there's no involvement in politics and Clegg came across as though he doesn't understand the issue.

Labour Party conference

The Labour conference in Manchester was in a different league compared with the Lib Dems. Everywhere I looked the roads were blocked off, the perimeter was smothered with armed police, bomb barriers, 10ft fences, they even had snipers on the rooftops.

Having arrived at the media entrance, I could not believe how big the queue was, the streets were flooded with people waiting to get in. I was surprised to see the media tycoon James Murdoch having to queue up just like everybody else. Within minutes of entering the conference I felt lost but the media access was amazing. You'd see ministers walking straight past you. You just had to tap people on the shoulder and you could grab a quick interview. I was able to talk to Tessa Jowell, John Prescott and Beverley Hughes. I also got tips from media professionals such as Jon Snow and my mentor Philip Webster.

People began queuing two hours before Gordon Brown was due to speak. All the screens in the conference were surrounded by those who couldn't get in, they sat on the floor with their legs crossed glued to the TV, like children in a school assembly.

Getting to Gordon Brown was a nightmare and took a lot of phone calls. I was lucky to get five minutes, which was nice of him considering the pressure he was under with Ruth Kelly having just resigned. I have never felt so nervous in my life, at one point I thought my heart was going to jump out my chest. The interview went really well and the PM came across as down to earth, understanding and in control. I asked him questions to do with young people based on my experience, about tackling gun and knife crime, how young people need things to do in the community. He was responsive and sat down and took in everything I said. He sounds like he knows what he is talking about. When you see him on TV he can come across as serious and boring and I felt I got to see his human side instead of the prime minister side.

Conservative Party conference

The Conservative conference brought me back to Birmingham. Again the roads were blocked off and the snipers were in place but this time, because the venue was by the canal, they even had armed police in speedboats, which was a first for me. As I entered the conference I was blown away by the size of the venue. With five floors, it felt as though I'd walked into a shopping centre. Everyone seemed calm and relaxed, unlike the tense atmosphere at the Labour conference. Here there was no sense of urgency, it was almost as if the Conservatives already knew they had won the next election.

There were many more advertisers and sponsors than at the other conferences and they mocked the Labour Party with T-shirts, posters and life-size cardboard cutouts of David Miliband holding a banana, with a basket full of bananas at his feet. Nobody wore the T-shirts.

Overnight the economy cast a dark shadow over the conference, changing the atmosphere. I managed to get a brief one-to-one with David Cameron, and to be a part of a press conference with 20 other journalists. Suddenly my hands began to sweat as I was third in line to ask a question: it felt like a bomb was just about to go off. I asked how he was coping and he said that as a leader you have to stay strong and that British people have the ability to get through tough times. David came across as really nice and after handling the interrogations so well he struck me as a man in control and a potential prime minister.

As well as achieving my goal of interviewing all the party leaders, I have learnt that there is a lot more to politics than meets the eye. I don't think people understand the impact that it has on their daily lives and the importance of being engaged. I like the banter of politics too, it's serious, it's comical and it's competitive. Interviewing is hard work because you're concentrating on what people are saying and having to come up with your next question. All this is why I find myself with a real thirst for politics and I hope that by sharing my experience and perspective others will take an interest.

Like a season journo

Philip Webster writes: I've felt like a proud father watching Lee cutting a swath through the party conferences. He was given a challenge to get interviews with all three party leaders and managed that and much more. I met Lee for the first time last year, my task to mentor him under a scheme sponsored by the Media Trust and DCMS. I took Lee to the G8 summit and watched him grow. We gave him a chance to escape from a difficult situation. He has taken it well. Lee has carried out newspaper and broadcasting assignments and has a place on an NCTJ journalism course at Harlow College, Essex. His mentor did the same course a few decades ago! Media Trust: www.mediatrust.org

Watch McConville Reports on Community Channel, October 12 at 12.30pm. Also on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233, from 6am to 9am on Freeview 87

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