All three Parties will have new leaders for the next election – but the real question will be what do the Parties stand for, and do they have the courage to make the hard choices needed to lead the country? At the last election, Liberal Democrats won more seats, more votes, more respect. Our tough stand on Iraq helped deliver that, but it was seen as the exception, not the rule. Our new Leader should not be distracted by the media obsession of ‘left’ or ‘right’, but focus on our fitness to govern.

At the last election I think we failed to convince enough people we offered an alternative government because we did not look like a party ready to make the hard choices needed in government. In the next four years we need to change that impression; and that means standing up for what we believe in on issues like the Government’s awful record on the environment and civil liberties measures like shoot-to-kill, three months detention without trial, and compulsory ID cards. Some choices are unpopular, but we must stand up for our principles.

With both Labour and the new Conservative leader listening to polls and focus groups, it is time for the Liberal Democrats to show we are the party of principle, courage and conviction.