Liberal Democrat Leadership candidate Nick Clegg MP writes for www.colin-ross.org.uk

6.59.59pm GMT Thu 8th Nov 2007

Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne

Throughout the campaign I have stressed the need to reach out to the people who do not currently vote Liberal Democrat, but adhere to the aims and values which define our party. We need to talk, directly and plainly, to the millions of people who share our values but don't yet give us their votes.

Nowhere is our ability to meet this challenge more visible than in the West Midlands. Already in this region we have begun to progress towards this objective: in Birmingham Yardley, Solihull, and Hereford. In this region we have so many individuals who have championed our values, and are reaching out to areas where, 20 years ago, it was unthinkable to have a Liberal Democrat candidate capable of getting elected. People like Tariq Khan, Richard Burt, and Heather Kidd. Because of their outstanding commitment to the Liberal Democrats, we are now knocking on doors in areas which we can win, and under my leadership I am determined that we do win.

In the West Midlands, I know that there are thousands of people concerned about the issues which the Liberal Democrats are committed to addressing. An overbearing and overburdened government, social stagnation, climate change, fear of crime, and a sense of alienation in a runaway globalised world.

These are the challenges which we face, here in the West Midlands, and across Britain. And these are challenges which we have started to overcome thanks to the work of all of you.

My desire to overcome these challenges defines why, with your support, I want to be the leader of the Liberal Democrats.