If the key Lib Dem aims of the last five years were first to prove that coalition government can work in our majoritarian, outdated democratic system and secondly that Liberal Democrats can be trusted to govern in the national interest and deliver liberal achievements, the election campaign has brought positive news on both fronts.

It is easy to forget how coalition was talked of before the 2010 election. It was the common view of most of the media and political establishment that coalition government, if even possible, would be weak and unambitious at best.

It is therefore a remarkable turnaround for it to be considered quite widely that a coalition this time round (and particularly one involving the Liberal Democrats) would provide the most stable, moderate government.

More than that, though, polling by Lord Ashcroft has shown just how successful the Liberal Democrats have been in persuading the country that we can be trusted as a party of national government:

The figures on this for Lib Dems represent the success of the LD campaign (would have been much lower before) pic.twitter.com/fcQYLrIIU0 — Nick Thornsby (@NickThornsby) May 7, 2015

As I say in the tweet above, this is a remarkable achievement not just of our five years in government but particularly of the campaign. The message that we will keep the government anchored in the centre ground (where most people see themselves) has not only “cut through” but has been received not with derision but agreement.

The challenge today, of course, is for that view to translate into votes where we need them most. And that is where our effort on the doorsteps today comes into play.

* Nick Thornsby is a day editor at Lib Dem Voice.