Liverpool was the real winner as the government arrived in town, with a Scouse-born Prime Minister talking up the fortunes of the place and the city putting itself front and centre of a positive story as it hosted the Labour Conference.
There was a moment in Andy Burnham's keynote conference speech when he talked about his grandad. He spoke of how he was a driver for Tate & Lyle and spent his days transporting goods along Liverpool's famous docks.
There is something remarkable, therefore, about the fact that a generation later, that man's grandson was back at those docks, making his way to Liverpool's Arena and Conference Centre to deliver a powerhouse speech that set out the direction he wants to go in as this nation's Prime Minister.
A city's renaissance on display
Burnham was born in this city in 1970, he came of age in Liverpool's darkest era - when the docks that had employed his grandfather and so many others closed, contributing to the mass unemployment and social unrest that would hang over this place for a generation.
As thousands of delegates made their way along the sun-drenched Albert Dock this week, they would scarcely be able to believe this is the same place. The story of Liverpool's renaissance from those turbulent times - spearheaded by the regeneration of those iconic docks - is well known, but it feels an important one to reflect on in a week like this.
Because this Labour conference wasn't just held in Liverpool, it had plenty to say about Liverpool. In his interviews and in his speech, Burnham spoke proudly of his Scouse roots, of the values the city and its people instilled in him and of the positive direction this place is now heading in.
Economic growth and political pride
Burnham is credited with leading the other city region along the M62 to become the fastest growing regional economy in the country and while Liverpool has some way to go to match Greater Manchester's economic might, the signs are looking optimistic currently.
To hear the Prime Minister state on a prime time national interview on the BBC, and again to the millions tuning in to his conference address, of his pride that the Liverpool City Region is now growing faster than the UK average, feels like a big moment that has been a long time coming.
It brings some vindication for the Prime Minister's close friend and long-time political ally Steve Rotheram, who has been uncontrollably beaming all week. His best pal is the Prime Minister and is loudly praising him for getting the city region he governs into a promising place - it's no wonder he has been bouncing around this conference centre with glee.
A warm welcome for visitors
And one thing we have all known for some time is that Liverpool always knows how to put on a show. The city looked glorious in the autumnal sunshine this week, the waterfront facilities were exemplary as always, the city's famous pubs and restaurants were on top form and the warm, vibrant people that this place is renowned for, provided the ultimate welcome for our visitors.
You meet a lot of people at these events, from politicians to journalists and other delegates. They will have agreed to disagree on plenty of topics, but speaking to many of them this week there was at least one clear consensus - Liverpool is a great and beautiful city and one that is now powering in the right direction.
