Smiling Lib Dems plan to make the most of election success

For now, their new MPs are still finding their feet and their voice – as their leader Sir Ed Davey revels in his new-found prominence: a guaranteed spot at Prime Minister’s Questions every week and miles more media attention.

So what can we expect from this conference?

Plenty of celebration, yes, plus an attempt to cement a reputation as the party of hope.

The tone of politics is something Sir Ed has given considerable thought to, after his mix of wild capers, bungee jump included, and profound personal reflection – a party political broadcast that focused on the loss of his parents as a child and his disabled son – appeared to contribute to their election success.

The prime minister acknowledged to me the other day that what some see as his miserabilist tone, talk of things getting worse before they get better, “has been cast as doom and gloom, and I get that”.

Combine this with the angry, noisy politics of recent years and Sir Ed hopes he can colonise a gap in the political market for those who want a more positive tone.

And what about policy?

Expect them to double down on the NHS and social care. They believe this brought clarity and dividends at the election.

The leadership has no desire to be a flotilla of small causes.

Speaking to some of their new MPs I do wonder how long some may be able to resist talking about Brexit.

Once unabashedly bashing of Brexit, the Lib Dems managed to pretty much avoid talking about it during the election.

How long might that last, particularly if sluggish economic growth persists allowing pro-Europeans to point to analysis – such as this from the Office for Budget Responsibility, external about the economic impact of the UK’s departure from the European Union?

What does Liberal Democrat success look like?

For me, this is the most intriguing question for the party.

What does it do in this parliament, how does it make an impact?

An avowedly anti-Conservative party now confronts a Labour government with an imperious majority.

How can or should it get noticed and effect change?

This is a big, open and not-immediately-obvious-to-answer conundrum.