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The election of 2010

No one knows what will happen in the general election tomorrow- not the pollsters, not the politicians, and probably not the voters.

There is an opportunity to make a radical change in the way our country is run. There is an opportunity to turn away from the destructive political culture, rooted in the vested interests of the two party system. There is an opportunity to create a more open political system which can look more widely for talent to tackle the problems that we face- experts with real experience well beyond the political bubble.

The question is will the British people make the leap and seize the opportunity. They could turn to David Cameron- a product of the system to his finger tips. They could stick with Gordon Brown- a Prime Minister with a list of failed polices that is now long indeed.

The political class is in confusion. It is a confusion caused by the Liberal Democrats. There is something new on offer: and it is the wisdom of Liberal economics rooted in the politics of openness. Holding our leaders to account, changing the electoral system to allow the real voice of the people to be heard, reordering our system so the people, not the political class control our country.

After a day in drizzle in Huntly, Tarves, Oldmeldrum and Inverurie I will be up early tomorrow to deliver the last leaflet in Huntly. I will be at the count in Aberdeen. I hope, as the numbers come through, that the voters of Gordon will re-elect Malcolm Bruce, the voters of West Aberdeenshire will vote for Sir Robert Smith and that John Sleigh will take Aberdeen South and Kristian Chapman will take Aberdeen North for the Liberal Democrats.

It has been a long campaign. I am proud of the impact that our party has made. We have made our case in a way that has persuaded millions of people to vote for us- many for the first time.

It is up to the people of the North East, the people of Scotland and the whole United Kingdom to finally seize the opportunity - but it will not be the end of the process, but only the beginning.
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