Summary

  • Tim Farron told Lib Dem conference his mission was to get party back into power

  • Norman Lamb called for English councils to be able to raise their own NHS taxes

  • Ex-leader Nick Clegg insisted Lib Dems could be the "comeback kids" of politics

Live Reporting

Alex Hunt, Tom Moseley and Kristiina Cooper

  1. 'Time to win again'

    In a rousing end to his speech, he tells party members they don't have the right to rest after the trials of government. 

    "As Jo Grimond said, 'in times of war, in times of doubt Generals were advised to march their troops towards the sound of gunfire'".

    He finishes his speech with these words:

    Well, troops I hear gunfire. Fellow Liberal Democrats, there has never been more space for us, never been more need for us, never been a bigger challenge for us. Against all the odds, we have just been given the chance to take centre stage. We will accept that role. It's time for Liberal Democrats to win again."

  2. Standing ovation

    Farron

    Lots of applause for Tim Farron, who heads into the audience for hugs and handshakes.

  3. Join today?

    Political Columnist/Writer, The Guardian tweets ...

  4. What is patriotism?

    Mr Farron reckons there's been "a lot of nonsense" written about Jeremy Corbyn's patriotism because he didn't sing the national anthem at a service at St Paul's

    What is a threat to Britain, he says, is Mr Corbyn's ambivalence about Britain's future in Europe.

    He calls on people who agree with him to join the fight to keep Britain in the EU. 

  5. Watch: Farron on housing

    Farron: 'Enough empty rhetoric on housing'

  6. Join my band

    Join us, Tim Farron tells disaffected Tories or Labour supporters. He has recently hinted at defections by Labour MPs to his party - which was dismissed by Labour's deputy leader as "like leaving the Beatles to join a Banarama tribute band".

  7. Embracing your `liberal' diagnosis

    Are you a Liberal? Mr Farron asks members or supporters of other parties. He lists the qualifications.  

    If you reject the politics of blame and separation.  If you say Britain is best when Britain is together. If you say Britain is best when it is outward looking, modern and inclusive...

    Then guess what. You're a liberal. Embrace that diagnosis. It is an utterly decent and British condition."

  8. UK should take 'share' of migrants

    Tim Farron is calling on the government to opt in now to the EU plan "to take our share of the refugees to be relocated throughout the continent". 

    And he calls on the government to provide the necessary financial support that local authorities will need

    He declares: 

    This is the Britain Liberal Democrats want to live in. And if that's the Britain that makes you proud too, then join us, We need you and you need us."

  9. Pic: Delegates applaud

    Lib Dem conference

    Tim Farron's comments on refugees went down well in the conference hall:

  10. Watch: Farron tribute to Kennedy

    Applause as Farron pays tribute to Charles Kennedy

  11. Pitiful and embarrassing

    A standing ovation and lots of cheering, as Mr Farron talks about the plight of migrants crossing the Mediterranean, in the hands of people smugglers, to get to the EU. 

    He is extremely critical of David Cameron's attempt to make the minimum effort on migrants for "maximum headlines". He says the Government will not directly help a single one of the hundreds of thousands currently on the move across Europe. 

    Here's the full quote:

    It's pitiful and embarrassing and makes me so angry. I want the world to know, he does not speak for me, he does not speak for us, he does not speak for Britain."

  12. Speaking for Britain?

    Political Editor of @indyonsunday tweets ....

  13. Watch: Farron praises Clegg

    Farron praises Clegg's leadership

  14. Crowd on their feet

    The first standing ovation was when Tim Farron said David Cameron "does not speak for Britain" on the issue of refugees and migration.

  15. Add to the debate

    Text: 61124

    Daily Politics viewer:

    Tim Farron.... what a load of rubbish. The Liberal Democrats haven't got any clue. No policies mentioned... Just a load of waffle.. More broken way out ideas... Nick Clegg destroyed the Liberal Democrats and no one will ever trust in them again!!!!   

  16. Migrants aren't after benefits

    Tim Farron talks about his visit to Calais over the summer to see the refugee crisis for himself. He reveals that he heard "stories of harrowing risks, dangers fled and desperation for their children". He adds that none of them mentioned coming to Britain to draw benefits.  

  17. Pic: Lib Dem leaders

    Applause from the front row

    Lib Dem conference

  18. The common touch?

    Mr Farron jokes that he never felt "so common" as the day he entered the House of Commons. 

    I have never met so many well-spoken, expensively educated people. It doesn't make them bad people. But it does make me feel like an outsider. But that's fine, because Liberal Democrats are outsiders. Even when we are on the inside, we are outsiders: taking the side of the outsider… are you with me?"

  19. Government wrong on green issues

    Tim Farron criticises the Government for "cutting off at the knees" the green energy sector. He urges the government "to realise it's making the wrong move at the wrong time for the wrong reasons".

    When Al Gore, John Gummer and the boss of the CBI all warn you you're doing the wrong thing - which is what happened yesterday - that chance are, you're on the wrong track."

    Read more here

  20. Pic: Standing room only

    Not many spare seats at the Bournemouth International Centre:

    Lib Dem conference