If Liberalism is about anything it is about the idea that ordinary men and women can improve their own lives and those of others. OK there is a lot more to it (although we often burden teh liberal message with low/value baggage). But this idea really is at the heart of Liberalism.

Are we doing enough with it? In my view, probably not. Lsitening to some of the debates in Brighton I was struck by the moralising, fun-free nature of some of it. There is a big constituency within the lib dems for a platform based upon moral exhortation. Personally I don't find the prospect of lecturing the electorate to be better to be very attractive*.

So I was interested in Andrew Rawnsley's account of Cameron's speech to the tories.

It is not true to say that David Cameron has no beliefs. The Tory leader outlined one to his party conference that can be summed up in a word. Optimism is his policy. Cheerfulness is his creed. Being happy is his ideology. He cried to them: 'Let sunshine win the day!'

I wouldn't want us to copy Cameron's vacuity (although I would caution those who confuse moral posturing with "having something to say"). Still we can't allow him to have a monopoly on optimism.

Just think back to some of the great US presidential campaigns (Reagan v Mondale perhaps) to remind yourself how powerful a force it can be.

Indeed our message should be built around it. Britain is held back by two forces: Labour who want a regulation and a central control for every human activity, and the Conservatives who want to turn the class system back to full blast.

Only Lib Dems will release the energy of the British people.

*Incidentally one of the standard features of Lib Dem (and Liberal) conferences is (was) the fringe meeting at which someone stands up and berates the parliamentary party for not doing enough to promote some unpopular cause.