Charles Kennedy: on "stand by"

Charles Kennedy has closed a conference overshadowed by tragedy with the words of US president, calling on party members to realise their dreams of becoming a major force in British politics.

In an emotional 35-minute speech, the leader of the Liberal Democrats used the words of President Roosevelt to rally his grassroots supporters.

"The only limit to our realisation of tomorrow will be our doubts today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith," he said. "By overcoming our doubts and fears of today, and by working with our friends, we will indeed realise our dreams tomorrow."

It was the final part of his advisors strategy to appear statesman-like and show the party was serious about becoming the "effective opposition"

Kennedy devoted more than half of his 35-minute speech to the international crisis and his advisors had admitted they had been "on standby" to tear up his script and start again at any moment.

He said the party had set out "a clear and principled response" to international terrorism adding they had "stayed true to what we stand for".

Kennedy vowed the party would not let terrorism triumph. "Dissent, democracy, debate, must never be beaten by bullets, barbarism and bombs," he said.

Urging caution in Britain's response to the tragic events in America, Kennedy warned Tony Blair to avoid associating himself with the hawks. In a clear attempt to put distance between himself and Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, he told the conference: "We do a disservice to democracy itself, if we meet terror with terror."

He called for a greater role for the UN, Nato and the EU in the current military operations. Kennedy added the events of September 11 showed the Eurosceptics that isolation could never work.

Turning his attentions to the June result, Kennedy rallied the party to build on its record-beating success saying it had "travelled some significant distance this year".

"I drew a few personal lessons from the general election. Get some sleep. Be straight with people. Address people's hopes not their fears, address their aspirations not just their attitudes. Talk about solutions not just their problems. Don't get bogged down in left or right arguments but try to stay ahead of the other two parties," he said.

He told the party faithful they must remain united if they are to take their fight to Iain Duncan Smith's Conservatives.

"That message will be absolutely vital as we develop our role as the effective opposition but that message alone must not be enough. Our challenge is to be more competent, more authoritative, more engaging and quicker on our feet than either of the other parties," he is expected to say.

Looking to the future, he said the party's next challenge would be to appeal to the One Nation Conservatives "who no longer feel that the Conservative Party offers them a home".

He said the party must also attempt to reach out to people "disillusioned with Labour" over the way it has run public services but campaigners must step up to the challenge.

"This raising of our game must apply at every level of the party, whether at Westminster, in other parliaments, assemblies or local councils. We're a serious party and the outside word recognises that fact," he said.