Ian Axton's Blog: Where do the Lib Dems go from here?

I was as astonished as anyone when I watched the election results rollin during those early hours of May 8th.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and party grandee Paddy Ashdown had both rubbished an ITV poll published a few weeks before, predicting a Lib Dem wipeout in the South West.

Well, that poll was proved right and one by one we saw the seatstumble - from St Ives to Cheltenham.

The West Country was the Lib Dems' heartland. Paddy Ashdown firstallowed that yellow bird to fly in Yeovil and for the next 30 years wewatched its wings spread and cosy Lib Dem nests build in places likeNorth Devon, St Austell and Bath.

When Parliament was dissolved for the 2015 General Election the party had 14 seats in our region. Today, it has none.So, how does it rebuild? How does it breathe new life into its messageand members. How does it make sure it learns lessons from the past?

It has to start at the top - and a leadership election is now underway. With just 8 MPs in the House of Commons the party wasn't spoilt for choice. So step forward former coalition Minister Norman Lamb and former party president Tim Farron. They're now going head to head to be the next name on the roll of honour after Ashdown, Kennedy, Campbell and Clegg.

On The West Country at Westminster tonight I'll be joined by both men.They'll answer questions not only from me, but from Lib Dem membersfrom across the South West. It's a close race - Farron has been dubbedthe favourite, but Lamb has claimed the longest list of high profilesupporters from the West Country.

There is all to play for and what they say tonight could be a game changer. But is anyone apart from the party faithful listening?