The conflicted liberal: Tim Farron's conference speech tugs at Labour's hearts

Tim Farron used his first big speech at party conference to try and brand the Liberal Democrats as the only "credible" opposition to the Conservative government, inviting those across the political spectrum to join his party.

Farron, an evangelical Christian who was elected leader of the Liberal Democrats in July, delivered an impressive speech with many commentators praising his combination of wit, honesty and serious politics.

The Sunday Times' Tim Shipman was glowing in his praise:

The Financial Times' John McDermott was more cautious in his summary, indicating Farron faces an identity crisis: 

Rafael Behr from the Guardian was quick to remind Lib Dems how far they had to go after a disastrous election saw their MPs reduced from 57 to 8. 

The Daily Telegraph's James Kirkup raised the possibility of Labour defections: 

After some awkward initial jokes, Farron was most comfortable delivering strong criticism of David Cameron's approach to the refugee crisis and his record on housing.

"Housing is the biggest single issue that politicians don't talk about," he said.

"Well we are going to talk about it, campaign on it, go on and on and on about it, and make a difference to the millions who have been ignored.

"Communities up and down this country have spent 25 years building housing association homes, picking up the pieces of Mrs Thatcher's destruction of council housing, and we will not allow David Cameron to destroy that work too."

He has said he will use Liberal Democrat peers to block the Conservative's plans to extend 'right to buy' to housing associations when the legislation goes through the House of Lords.

An old political convention, the Salisbury Convention, means that the House of Lords does not normally oppose the second or third reading of government legislation promised in its manifesto.

Worryingly for Cameron, Farron has said the convention was a "political stitch-up" and he would not abide by a "gentleman's pact between the old establishment parties."

"I have signed no convention, the Lib Dems have signed no convention," he told Sky News. "My contract is with the British people to defend their interests."

As he moved on to the refugee crisis, Farron earned a standing ovation mid-speech after his angry attack at Cameron's refusal to take part in the EU's quota system.

"It is pitiful and embarrassing and makes me so angry because I am proud to be British and I am proud of Britain's values," he said.

"So when Mr Cameron turns his back on the needy and turns his back on our neighbours I want the world to know, he does not speak for me, he does not speak for us, he does not speak for Britain."

It is not surprising that Farron was at his best when criticising the Conservative government. Known to be more left-wing than most of his Lib Dem colleagues, the conflict between his desire to occupy the centre ground and his desire to follow his more natural left-wing tendencies was evident.

But his rousing delivery will certainly be tantalising for centrist Labour MPs who might be dreading Jeremy Corbyn's first major speech next week.

"There are millions of people in Britain who know in their hearts that they are liberals," Farron said in his speech. "We need to convince them now to become Liberal Democrats."