Letter from Westminster

Written by Stephen Williams MP and published in Clifton Chronicle on Mon 6th Mar 2006

I've just returned from the Liberal Democrats' spring conference in Harrogate. The Yorkshire town is my favourite conference venue. Its hills and views, smart shops and fine architecture are a contrast to the seaside resorts that all the parties visit in the autumn. This year it was particularly beautiful in the snow. But the highlight was of course the first speech by Sir Menzies Campbell as our new leader.

I first met 'Ming' when he came to Bristol West during the general election last year. We enjoyed a question time session with students at City of Bristol College. It was the first time that he had stood in for Charles Kennedy, on the day that Charles's son was born. Neither of us could have known that just eleven months later Ming would be party leader and that I would have been the MP who acted as agent to his defeated main rival, Chris Huhne.

I must admit I prefer elections where my rivals are different political parties. I know why I could never be a Tory and have some fundamental disagreements with Labour. But intra party battles are trickier. The policy differences are more a matter of nuance than dispute. The rival candidates are liked and respected colleagues. The decision of who to support is finely balanced. On this occasion my preferred candidate did not prevail but I have no sense of deep disappointment about the result.

The main winner of the leadership contest was the party itself. Liberal Democrats arrived in Harrogate with a spring in their step and with a new leader who had been thoroughly tested and strengthened in the race.

Ming Campbell is now the third leader of the Liberal Democrats and will be able to build on the successes of Paddy Ashdown and Charles Kennedy. He leads a party that is united on all the main issues of the day. Unlike 'flip-flop-Dave' Cameron he will not have to spend the next year throwing overboard policies and principles to create an impression of change. As he said in his speech, he won't have to emulate Tony Blair or try to distance himself from Blair, he can just be himself. I think the big advantage that Ming Campbell will bring to the Liberal Democrats and to British politics is his evident confidence and belief in the enduring values of his party.

I often hear people saying that they are tired of spin and politicians who don't answer questions and don't seem to believe in anything other than the exercise of power. While someone increasingly seen as a shallow opportunist leads the Conservative opposition, the Liberal Democrats will be led by someone who exudes authority and principle. Ming has said that Mr Blair's premiership has driven values out of politics. His task now as the new leader of my party is to restore peoples' faith in politics.

I have always believed that party politics is the best way to bring about peaceful change in a free society. Ming Campbell has a great opportunity to convince a sceptical public that voting does make a difference to their lives and that the Liberal Democrats deserve their trust.