There’s no doubt the Liberal Democrats have a spring in their step.

The party conference ended with a predictably rousing reception for the leader’s speech.

Under Jo Swinson, the party is rather more energised than when her predecessor was at the helm - which wouldn’t be hard - and has enjoyed a string of defections from disillusioned MPs from both the Conservative party and Labour.

The calamitous general election in 2015 when the party - which had been in a coalition with the Conservatives - predictably shouldered all the blame and took all the flak for the recession seems a long way away.

Ms Swinson has positioned the party firmly as the home of those who don’t want Brexit to happen at all.

But in its anxiety to cement that position, there has been some internal dissent over the adopting an even harder line, in which the party says that if it was in government it would “cancel” Brexit, without giving voters a say.

Some feel that is an unnecessary commitment and might dissuade voters from other parties tempted to give them a try: the shadow of the party’s flip-flop on tuition fees looms large.

Having said that, its decisiveness on the key political issue is in contrast to Labour, whose befuddled position has confused many.

And the likelihood of the party actually being in power to implement its policy is, notwithstanding its resurgence, unlikely.

Leader Ms Swinson was always going to get a warm welcome at the conference and there was a heavily-trailed attack on the other party leaders.

“The tired old parties have failed, looking inward at a time of national crisis. Our country needs us at this precarious time. We do not have 10 or 15 years. We need to seize the opportunity now.”

It was an address that had some echoes of David Steel’s imprecation to conference to “prepare for power” but rather more subtle.

And the party in Kent maybe in good heart after some decent council election gains but the aspiration for a parliamentary seat remains a matter of hope rather than expectation.

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils.

How is Brexit going to affect Kent? For all the latest news, views and analysis visit our dedicated page here.