Lib Dem hopefuls square up

The two candidates for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats have gone head to head at a party conference for the first time since the race to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell began.

Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne separately addressed a crowd of 100 party activists in a school hall at Newbury, Berkshire in what was effectively an unofficial hustings.

The pair, who announced they will stand as candidates this week, did not go up against each other in a debate but shook hands in a brief exchange as they swapped places to speak to their audience.

The conference of the party's South Central region was planned, and Mr Clegg and Mr Huhne were booked to speak, long before it was known that a leadership race was in the offing.

But both took the opportunity to outline their credentials for the role of leader.

Mr Huhne, 53, went first telling activists that the party's "commitment to social justice was absolutely crucial".

He added: "Unless Whitehall gives power back to the community we are not going to have the world class services we need."

Mr Huhne also said the Liberal party would remain committed to a diverse Britain encouraging more women MPs and those from ethnic and gay backgrounds.

He said he wanted to "lance the boil" of Euro sceptics by challenging them to a "debate about what they really want - to get out."

Nick Clegg then addressed the activists describing the leadership contest as an "enormous opportunity" for the party to showcase to the public what they have to offer.

He said: "I passionately believe there are millions of people in this country who share our values of fairness, diversity, our insistence that we must protect the environment for future generations and our cherished British Liberties.

"But many of them haven't given us their votes. It is the task of any political party to reach out to these voters."

He said the party faced the challenge of Liberalism in a "time of fear" over terrorism, anti-social behaviour and crime.

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