NO matter which party controls the Government, democracy demands a strong, credible, challenging opposition.

Ed Miliband did not fit the bill as the leader who led Labour into the last election and we are yet to be convinced by the candidates lining up to replace him.

The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, have found a new left-leaning leader in Tim Farron and the only way is up for a party with a measly eight MPs. Compare that to the 62 MPs Nick Clegg inherited as party leader and it puts Mr Farron's challenge into perspective: how can the credibility of the battered Lib Dems to rebuilt?

It doesn't help that two of the best-known Lib Dems have publicly expressed their reservations.

"Tim's a very able guy but at the moment judgement is not his strong suit," swiped Lord Ashdown, who's had his own moments of misjudgement in the past.

"I suspect he would not be seen as a very credible leader, at least now," added Vince Cable.

But there are plus sides to Mr Farron's election: He has built his majority from under 300 to nearly 9,000 in a decade; he did not serve in the coalition which proved so disastrous for Mr Clegg; and he voted against the rise in tuition fees which shattered the Lib Dems' party of conscience image.

And, although he is the Lib Dem leader with the fewest MPs in 60 years, he takes over at a time when the Government has a flimsy majority of just 12. The Lib Dems can still make a difference in partnership on the right issues with the SNP and Labour.

Mr Farron has a huge rebuilding job on his hands but we wish him well because we believe British politics needs the Lib Dems to be healthy as part of a strong, credible and challenging opposition.