The Liberal Democrats have just concluded the autumn Conference in Bournemouth, during which we have set out our vision for a fresh start for Britain, delivered by our leader Nick Clegg and our outstanding Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable - the first to warn of the banking crisis and the first to see the way out.

We have reinforced our party's commitment to social justice, including lower taxes for those on low and middle incomes and scrapping tuition fees for universities - despite media reports to the contrary. We want to ensure, through this and other measures, that every young person has the best possible start in life. This is essential if we are to build the fairer, freer and more open society that we all want to see.

The state of the public finances puts pressure on government spending. The Liberal Democrats are determined that, when the inevitable cuts come, hard decisions are made to ensure that the services that people depend on are protected while wasteful spending is stopped. We would stop the useless and illiberal ID card scheme. We would also close tax loopholes which allow the super-rich to escape paying their fair share and use some of that money to lower taxes for everyone else.

Liberal Democrats have always been strong on civil liberties and human rights. We will end the Big Brother state and ensure that everyone has the right to trial by jury - a right which is currently denied to some. We will fight for the fundamental right of every man, woman and child to live a fulfilling life free from unjustifiable interference.

Closing the Conference, Nick Clegg declared that the Liberal Democrats now dominate the progressive side of British politics - a cause that Labour has betrayed and the Tories have never understood:

"Britain cannot afford to be taken in by David Cameron's illusion of change. Britain needs leadership from a party with real passion, and it's the Liberal Democrats".

For more information about our Conference, visit the national party's website at www.libdems.org.uk