Former chair of Liberal Youth Elaine Bagshaw sums up the Liberal Democrat spring conference for Total Politics

Conference started with the news that the Conservative MEP, and former leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, Edward McMillan-Scott had defected to the Liberal Democrats. Such a high profile defection with such a short window before the general election gave a huge boost to a conference that already had a hugely positive buzz around it.

It started with the traditional rally on the first evening. Speeches from Paddy Ashdown, Shirley Williams and Tim Farron all rallied the activists to remember that only the Liberal Democrats can deliver real change for the country, and that we must fight for every vote, so that in Parliament we can fight for every person who's been let down by successive Tory and Labour governments. Nick then took to the stage to tell everyone to concentrate on working for every vote and to get as many MPs elected as possible – not to be distracted by discussions of who we may or may not go into coalition with, if a hung Parliament situation arises.

Even with a general election around the corner, the most important part of our conference is policy making. Our youth policy – Free to Be Young was passed, as were motions on our manifesto themes of fair taxes and a green economy. All of this built up to the main event of conference – Nick's speech on Sunday afternoon.

Despite suffering with a sore throat, Nick spoke with passion and conviction about how voters don't have to accept the argument that things will never change, and that a vote for Liberal Democrats is a wasted vote. Voters should demand the change they want and vote with their hearts. If you believe in the principals and policies that we put forward this weekend, then we are the only party you should vote for.