The Liberal Democrats can become Britain's second political party, Charles Kennedy told his party faithful yesterday.

Speaking on the final day of his party conference in Brighton, the Lib Dem leader insisted that the momentum is with the Liberal Democrats while the Tories are lost and going backwards.

He said: "British politics is up for grabs in a way it has not been for a hundred years. The prize is very great. There is no law which says when the Conservative Party is down it must come up again."

Peter Riddell of The Times concludes: "His earlier speeches were hesitant, halting and empty, one being almost completely vacuous. By contrast, yesterday's had a punch and bite that were previously lacking."

Simon Hoggart in the Guardian reflects on the sartorial sharpness of the Lib Dem leader and concludes "those are trousers the nation can do business with".

The Mirror says it is "foolish to write off their chance" of overhauling the Conservatives.