New Lib Dem leader to greet party today at the Spring Conference

11.08.02am GMT Fri 3rd Mar 2006

A delighted Robin Lawrence (left), Chair of Wolverhampton South West Lib Dems, congratulates The Party's new leader

Sir Menzies Campbell is to make his first appearance in front of his party as leader, a day after his leadership election victory. Sir Menzies, who has vowed to be more than "a safe pair of hands", will address a rally at the start of the party's spring conference in Harrogate. Sir Menzies will make a short address on the stage at a conference rally on Friday evening, ahead of his key speech on Sunday. He will share a platform with three of the party's recent by-election victors and will rally members for the local elections in May.

A reshuffle is expected on Monday. In forming a front bench team, Sir Menzies is likely to consider what role defeated leadership rivals Mr Hughes and Mr Huhne should play and whether or not to reward those who supported his campaign.

The post of deputy leader - which Sir Menzies himself held as well as being foreign affairs spokesman - has yet to be decided upon.

Speaking this morning on BBC's Today programme, he said he would rule out any pacts or deals with other parties to gain power at Westminster. "Lib Dems had to "maximise our potential by getting the largest number of votes and the largest number of seats".