LIB Dem leader Tim Farron has vowed to set up a think tank of experts to create a "progressive" vision for the future of the UK.

The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP said he wanted people from other political parties to take part in an "independent panel of experts and thinkers" to map out the way to an "economically strong and socially just" society.

Mr Farron set out his ambitious aims at the Liberal Democrat conference in York, on Sunday, during a speech in which he also declared a determination for his party "to replace the Labour Party as the main opposition to the Tories".

"If we are going to be that big, credible, electable alternative then we need to reach out beyond our ranks and beyond our comfort zone," said Mr Farron.

"That’s why in the weeks ahead I will be setting up an independent panel of experts and thinkers who will report back to me on a single question: how do we create a liberal, economically strong and socially just alternative vision for Britain?

"And this panel will be independent for a reason. If the Liberal Democrats are to be the natural home for those who want to rally around a new, progressive alternative to the right wing consensus, then we need to be a big tent.

"We need to talk to people outside our tribe – including people in other parties.

"Our task is nothing short of a new consensus. Britain needs a confident, optimistic, liberal alternative, built on a clear credible plan."

Unsurprisingly, Mr Farron used his conference speech to rail against the Government over Brexit, which the Lib Dems have vowed to fight.

"It is still possible for the British people to stop a hard Brexit," the MP said. "It is still possible for the British people to keep us in the Single Market. And if they want, it is still possible for the British people to change their minds and remain in the European Union."

But Mr Farron also suggested Brexit should not be allowed to dominate every issue.

He said: "I was talking to a senior board member of a firm in Westmorland last week. 'Brexit’s a disaster,' he said. 'But we’re positive about the future.'

"'In our history,' he told me, 'we’ve got through two huge fires, dozens of floods and two World Wars; we’ll survive Brexit if it happens and we’ll do it with a smile on our face.'"

Mr Farron said: "That’s a brilliant and correct attitude. Because Brexit is not the root of every issue we have in this country."