The following posting was offered by ALTER supporter (not a paid-up member) Cllr David Murray of Wolverhampton. It was written after David watched Sunday's Politics Show on BBC

"I am sure Nick is a "very very nice young man" with a large parliamentary majority on his side. But this may be the result of personality rather than politics. Like his Conservative look-alike, I get the feeling he supports policies that he thinks will be popular, even if by so doing, he demonstrates a lack of consistency over time.

"I fear that in a Leadership role, he would give way to pressure for consensus, not having strong beliefs of his own which he would be prepared to champion against all odds. It is all very well being angry about injustice, and wanting to do something about it, but we need thought-through solutions that address the realities of our time.

"Lib Dems need a bold and radical leader who has the courage of his convictions, and the will and commitment to see them through. Ming has played a valuable caretaker role, but has not moved the party forward. Some may think that a "media celebrity" would attract votes from an apathetic public on the basis of personality, but is that what we want and need at this time?

"We have to inspire our own membership to go out and spread the message, not rely on a TV poll of popularity which is here today and gone tomorrow. I am convinced that Chris is the right person to lead the party, and provide that inspiration, and have not changed my mind from the last leadership elections.

"The media and general public are not voting in this present contest, and I hope that Lib Dem members will support Chris. He alone has the knowledge and experience to challenge Gordon Brown. Nick's offer of being prepared to go to prison for refusing an ID card is no substitute."