So now it’s our turn for a new dawn. I guess all parties have to regenerate and reinvent as the political landscape shifts.

As we Liberal Democrats pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off my hope and expectation is that out of this pretty traumatic time, we will emerge ready to meet the new challenges. I am convinced that the right path is to stay true to our values and beliefs.

For all the talk about the dangers of the Lib Dems being squeezed, I’m actually very optimistic. Both Tories and Labour seem to be moving into competing on very narrow territory – becoming more and more alike, whilst they simply argue over the details of management options within a very restricted framework. That leaves an awful lot of scope for another party – especially one which is will to stick to its core beliefs.

This is a time when liberalism is needed more than ever – to stand against Labour’s assault on our civil liberties, our ancient freedoms and rights; to stand against illegal wars; to stand against an creeping authoritarianism where sound-bite punishments are meant to solve society’s ills. And to show a real commitment to the environment – as something crucial to our future, not just a fig leave to be picked up and discarded as the whims of focus groups and opinion polls take you.

As for public services in the round – well, the liberal response is to argue for quality public services for all, locally delivered and locally accountable. Quality services for all is important, because the current favourite mantra of “choice” means putting up with good and bad public services. That’s fine for those who are able to work the system to get their children into the good school or their partner into the good hospital. But what about everyone else?

Locally delivered is important because that’s where many of the services are at their best – such as the local police station where people can easily call in to report crimes or the local hospital which means people’s friends and neighbours can easily visit, offering support and help to patients.

And locally accountable – because that’s how we get better value for the huge sums of money that have been poured into some public services with so little to show for it.

So – four candidates’ hats in the Lib Dem leadership ring. The man who many people initially thought would almost certainly take over and who started as favourite was Sir Menzies Campbell. He’s been displaced as bookies’ favourite by Party President Simon Hughes. Then there is Mark Oaten, Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary (and my boss in the Home Affairs Team); and my boy – Chris Huhne, who started as a rank outsider at 300-1 with odds now closing at 7-1.

I am supporting Chris because it’s not the office of leader he is interested in for its own sake. He wants to get the Lib Dems into power. And he knows what he wants to do with that power and where he wants to take the party. He has the credibility and substance on economic issues to take the fight to Gordon Brown and beat him on his own territory.

Chris Huhne (www.chris2win.org) has already made clear that a key part of his vision is about using taxation to discourage behaviour which damages our environment, whilst using the money raised that way to take those who are poorest out of taxation all together. So – overall, no increase in taxation, but a fairer society and a better environment for all. Redistribution and responsible consumption in one – that’s the combination that is both liberal and effective. That sounds good to me!