As I've previously posted, I voted for Ming in the leadership election, so I am pleased to see that he won. After observing his first few days, I feel vindicated in my choice.

It has been remarked by some that Ming had hoped for a "coronation", with no leadership election to fight. Indeed, he did at times appear uncomfortable during the campaign. It has been said that he dislikes losing and picks his battles carefully; in many ways, standing for the leadership was a huge gamble. His reputation, carefully cultivated over the years, as a universally respected figure of authority and gravitas, would have been tarnished by a defeat. So it is perhaps understandable that he felt under significant pressure. However, as Jonathan Calder remarked, "being party leader will be far more to Sir Menzies Campbell's taste than campaigning to be leader was".

From the moment his victory was announced, his confidence appeared to multiply. He has made numerous television appearances since the result was announced, culminating in his speech to the spring conference. Having (I think) seen most of them, I was struck by how assured and determined he appeared. It is clear that, now installed as leader, he is prepared to lead decisively.

I believe that the challenge has been good for the party and has allowed a broader discussion of the issues facing the party than would have been possible with a coronation. Ming now leads with a majority of the party having given him their support. He can, however, learn lessons from the campaign, particularly Chris Huhne's campaign. Huhne showed that it is possible to make bold commitments on issues like the environment and reducing taxes for the least well-off. The party will need to do more of this in the next few years in order to build up the case for voting Lib Dem.

The Tories' decision to fight on Lib Dem territory could prove to be a tremendous boon - the liberal agenda is guaranteed centre stage in media coverage as a result. Now, more than ever, there is a huge opportunity to communicate what being a Liberal Democrat is about and what Liberal Democrats would do with power at Westminster. It is an opportunity that may not come again, and it seems that Ming Campbell is determined to seize it.