So, the result of the Lib Dem leadership is to be announced shortly.

Since I haven't declared it yet, I ended up voting for Chris Huhne. But, in the final reckoning, I'm sure that both candidates are capable of doing the job that needs to be done. I could never get worked up in a partisan way about this campaign, simply because I can easily imagine either man leading us to success. The questions that interest me are not questions of the leader's personality. The situation of the Liberal Democrats as a party matters a lot more than the characteristics of the leader, especially when the choice is between two able, presentable and intelligent candidates.

Despite the occasional arguments about negative campaigning, there hasn't been a great sense of negativity about the election. Both Nick and Chris have talked about the need for ambition, and I suspect that they're going to have to work together to meet those ambitions. And, of course, the party will have to unite behind them.

It feels like a time of change now. Gordon Brown's government is growing increasingly discredited, and they have missed the opportunity to set themselves on a more liberal course, by continuing with ID cards and proposing an unnecessary extension of pre-charge detention. So, as we approach the changing of the seasons with Yule a few days away, we also approach a changing of the political season, with the New Labour era firmly drawing to a close. 2008 must be the year that the Liberal Democrats fight back, and put the liberal agenda squarely at the centre of British political life. To do that, we'll need to unite as a party, behind whoever emerges as leader later today.