4:05pm Wednesday 17th March 2010
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron made a speech to kick off the Liberal Democrat party conference at Birmingham.
He joined a high-profile speaking line-up which included Shirley Williams, Paddy Ashdown and party leader Nick Clegg.
His speech touched on the importance of voting for the Liberal Democrats in the upcoming General Election and how local party members have to work 'unreasonably hard' to make sure that the party’s message is heard loud and clear in the coming weeks.
Mr Farron told delegates how he had first joined the Liberals after watching the groundbreaking documentary on homelessness 'Cathy Come Home' as a teenager.
“Cathy Come Home broke my heart - I decided to do something about it, I paid £1.50 and joined the Liberals!” he said.
He compared the campaign to a football match in its final five minutes and told delegates that they need not be nervous spectators, instead they were active players and by hard work they could secure victory.
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