THE Liberal Democrats held their annual conference, probably the last before the next General Election, in Bournmouth.

The party will use the five days to try to convince voters they are not just a choice for protest votes against the Iraq war, but a genuine alternative to Labour and the Tories.

Few new policies are expected to be unveiled, with the emphasis on proving current Lib Dem plans - such as the abolition of university tuition fees and a '25-a-week increase in state pensions - have been properly costed.

It will also be a personal test for leader Charles Kennedy, whose illness at this year's spring conference sparked questions about his leadership.

The MEN's political correspondent Ian Craig attended the conference and you can keep up to date with all the latest speeches here on Manchester Online.

Are the Lib Dems a genuine alternative? Have your say.

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