Yesterday I watched in awe as Tim Farron delivered, what I believe was, a passionate heartfelt speech to round off the Liberal Democrat conference in York. It was the a speech that confirmed to me all the reasons as to why just a week earlier I had joined the Liberal Democrat party after much soul searching.

My Liberal journey began, in many ways, when I was in my early teens in the mid 90’s when the nation was getting swept up in New Labour. Having been raised in an era of Tory rule, Thatchers Britain, and my parents having somewhat radical right wing views New Labour were a breath of political fresh air.

I had never been able to resonate with the Tory approach of helping the wealthiest get more wealthy and hoping that the money trickled down to those in need. I had always wanted a fairer Britain where people, like my Mum, were rewarded for the hard work they put in within a society that didn’t turn its back on the vulnerable or needy.

No doubt my Mum and Dad’s quality of life became better under the New Labour government and things seemed to get easier on the household. Looking at the comparison of my Mum crying with just 30p in her purse in 1992 and the quality of life under New Labour all while she had been doing the same job prompted me to vote Labour for my first three elections 2001, 2005 and 2010.

Granted I did not agree with everything New Labour did or tried to implement such as ID cards or the Iraq war but looking at the personal situation I had always been confident in my vote going to the right party.

It was after 2010 that I began to feel disenchanted with the party on a national and local level. Ed Miliband for me was never going to be the man to lead Britain while many older members of the party seemed to take joy in telling me they were taking “their” party back. Meetings began to take place without me being invited and any ideas or thoughts I put forward was beating down with moans of Red Tory.

At no point in my life had I ever considered myself anything Tory and simply voted with the party that had made a visible difference to my family and friends lives. I simply wanted to be part of a party that was trying to make society fairer and better so that everyone had the same chances regardless of surname, gender, race or religious belief.

This came to a head in September last year when I ended my affiliation with the Labour party as I could no longer support the direction they were and are seemingly heading in. Just a few days later I sat watching the Daily Politics, yes I am admitting to watching it, and saw Tim Farron give his speech at the Autumn conference.

Speaking from the heart it was clear that Tim was passionate about every word he spoke that day but more importantly I found myself agreeing with everything he said. The government had turned its back on the refugee crisis, I wanted a fairer society and I wanted a Britain that was part of the EU. Thinking about it further and looking at what the Tories were doing now in government I could see what a difference the Liberal Democrats had made in government by reigning in the Tories in.

Just since last May we have seen them try to cut working tax credits, scrap the human rights act, demonise refugees and now aiming their cuts at the disabled in our society. That is not a fair Britain or society and so I took the leap to join the Liberal Democrats as I believe they are the only party offering a better fairer Britain that people so badly need.

I want a Britain where my kids will have opportunity whilst understanding that we are all human and that if you can help someone in need then it is your humane duty to offer the liberal hand of friendship.

My Mum had always said I was more Liberal than Labour and it is now that I truly understand what she meant. It was hard coming to the conclusion that I was never part of something I truly believed in and yet realising that I am a Liberal Democrat has been one of the most easiest.

So I attended my first conference this weekend and can honestly say everyone I met was genuinely nice and it had a great feel that all opinions are welcome. More importantly, for me, it felt warm and welcoming and left little doubt in my mind that joining the Liberal Democrats is a homecoming as opposed to a fresh start.

* Mark Moore is a new member