The Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, and his wife, Sarah, announced yesterday that they are expecting their first child.

Charles Kennedy has warned the Liberal Democrats not to get "carried away" or "overstate the case" about their ability to form the next government. The Liberal Democrat leader moved yesterday to dampen expectations after one of his senior aides predicted that the party could seize power in five years' time.

The Liberal Democrats will form the first government after Labour loses power, one of the party's general election strategists predicted yesterday.

Charles Kennedy urged his party to raise expectations and "believe in ourselves" in the run-up to the general election yesterday, as he refused to rule out forming a coalition government with Tony Blair.

Charles Kennedy has slapped down a group of "Young Turks" on the eve of his party's conference, making clear that there will be no lurch to the right. The Liberal Democrat leader twice summoned the most outspoken member of a group of radical young MPs in recent days to warn him not to overshadow this week's gathering in Bournemouth.

Charles Kennedy yesterday declared the Liberal Democrats had the "best prospects" of an electoral breakthrough for 20 years as he launched his party's early election manifesto on a platform of "freedom, fairness and trust".

Charles Kennedy yesterday demanded a public apology from Tony Blair as he said he was ashamed at the "litany of failings and political misjudgements" in the run-up to war.

The Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy today said he was not surprised by Lord Butler's findings and called for a full public inquiry into the run-up to the Iraq war.

Charles Kennedy launched a stinging attack yesterday on Tony Blair's pledge to bring more choice to the NHS. He said that it would be "meaningless" unless the capacity to treat patients was increased.

Charles Kennedy warned yesterday that "the tide is going out for Labour" after historic inroads were made into Tony Blair's urban heartlands, driving Labour into third place.