Ladies and gentlemen, my friends.

I am very honoured to stand before you, here in the heart of London, as your Leader.

Over the last year and a half, both myself and the party have had ours ups and downs. For better or for worse, I have been glad to share in these. I have learned so much from the good and bad times, and that experience I gained is what has got me to the position I am in today.

I must of course pay tribute to our outgoing leader, the wonderful /u/Wagbo_ . He has been a mentor figure to me within the party and he thoroughly deserves the praise and respect he has within our party.

The Liberal Democrats, in the Official Opposition, stand at an important point in our party's history. Progressives have been able to find common ground, and unite, putting forward an alternative , kind, and compassionate vision for Britain. That is a source of immense pride for me and my party. A new, fresh Executive signals a new era for the party, and one I look forward to being a part of.

My vision for the party brings us right back to its roots. Back to local politics, to empowering the people of the UK to dream and do. Across the House, the face of politics and across the world, we want to see a new wave of open, strong and direct politics. Why? We, as Liberal Democrats, believe in bridges, not borders.The much maligned tag of centrist politics is one we should cherish, and support, for it is what our party came from. We are a party of the centre, and a party that values community before all else. We will always retain those qualities.

Thank you!