For any new leader of any party at any given time it takes time if you are not in government to establish yourself.

We Liberal Democrats believe in dialogue. We believe in cooperation with both sides of industry and between both sides of industry. And we believe in the language of cooperation. We reject the language of confrontation.

My approach is always to try to be straight with people, especially about what my party can achieve.

Yes, you need substance in politics - but I think your style also says something about how you arrive at some of your conclusions.

For any new leader of any party at any given time it takes time if you are not in government to establish yourself.

It is true that I entered parliament at the age of 23, and have now been representing the people of my constituency for over twenty years.

You won't catch Liberal Democrats describing trade unionists as wreckers.