We’ll cut through Labour gloom. says Lib Dem leader Ed Davey

There was a party atmosphere in the conference hall as Sir Ed took to the stage with all 72 Lib Dem MPs seated behind him, with some singing along to Abba’s Take A Chance On Me.

He paid tribute to the MPs and praised the “sacrifices” made by his wife Emily, who appeared emotional as the audience applauded.

The Lib Dems have been relentless this week in hammering home their core message on the need to invest more in the NHS.

And Sir Ed made health and social care the main focus of his 40-minute speech.

In a new policy announcement, he called on the government to set up a task force to help NHS Trusts plan their budgets more efficiently, instead of receiving emergency funding from the government at the last minute.

“The government could and should make this year the last winter crisis in our NHS,” Sir Ed said.

“So I urge Labour: do not make the same mistakes the Conservative Party did.

“Be more positive. Act now. Show the ambition and urgency this moment demands – and save our NHS now.”