I want to see a much more powerful Assembly as the Richard Commission recommended. But an Assembly with more Liberal Democrat influence that will act for all of Wales.

It is great to be in Wrexham and I want to acknowledge and congratulate you on your excellent efforts locally – not least with leadership of the Council and the great swing to us in the General Election.

Occasionally we are able to defeat the Government in Parliament – but I am delighted that you do it every day on the Council here to ensure that the renewal and regeneration of Wrexham continues.

Now you are hard on the heels of Labour let me give you more encouragement.

It took three elections to win my seat – to move from 4th place to 1st place.

Building up strength on the ground – taking control of the Council, recruiting members and energising supporters.

As you and I know there are no short cuts to success.

So I will use this – my experience, my authority, my energy – to work with you, campaign alongside you as part of a formidable Liberal Democrat team.

Under my leadership talent will be nurtured from all sections of the party in Parliaments, in councils and in Wales, Scotland and in the regions of England.

I am passionate about that, passionate about my politics, determined to lead this party, not for my own sake but for what liberal democracy can achieve.

So we must take our unique values, Lloyd George’s values – liberty, equality, and community – values more relevant than ever and set a new agenda for progress in this century.

I have set out five priorities.

First, I will pursue the war on poverty.

We must make a reality of tackling the causes of poverty – with major investment and innovation to tackle health inequalities and raise educational standards.

And I will massively expand social and affordable housing so local people are able to buy and rent houses in their own communities.

Second, I want a democratic revolution.

Parliament, fairly elected, Commons and Lords, must hold the Government to account.

Here in Wales I want to see a much more powerful Assembly as the Richard Commission recommended. But an Assembly with more Liberal Democrat influence that will act for all of Wales.

Third, tackling the environment and energy crisis we face.

At home we must give a big boost to energy saving and use the tax system to encourage people and businesses to play their part.

Abroad we must work to persuade the United States to take climate change seriously.

On energy we must invest dramatically in renewable energy and new technology so that we can reduce our dependence on oil and say no to nuclear power.

Fourth, I am determined that Britain must work with other nations for a safer and more secure world.

Make no mistake – I want to bring our troops home from Iraq as soon as possible.

But I am clear that that process should be driven by events on the ground in Iraq, not by arbitrary deadlines marked on a calendar in London.

So let us never lose our hard-won position as the party of credibility, authority and judgement on critical issues of foreign policy.

Fifth, I will reduce the power of the over-mighty state – with community services, locally provided, democratically accountable.

In short, here in Wrexham locally elected people responsible for local schools, local hospitals, local police and local transport.

Which means no to the nonsense of a single Welsh police force – the structure of policing in Wales should be decided by Welsh people and not by Whitehall.

As a fellow Celt I know it is time to trust people in Wrexham to make the key decisions about services for themselves rather than wait on bureaucrats in London.

My leadership – values and integrity, judgement and credibility.

Positive policies.

A credible, distinctive, principled party.

Working together, going forward.

Not looking inwards, but reaching outwards.

Not a debating society but a party of local and national power.

Liberal Democrats in Government.

Nothing less will do for Wales and Britain.