Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds has set out her vision for a 'Wales of hope and of optimism' at last week's party conference.

The Welshpool-based Lib-Dem boss also vowed to tackle what she referred to as the 'sixth giant evil' of loneliness in modern society in the address at the party's Spring Conference in Cardiff.

It was her debut speech since becoming leader of the party in November 2017.

"I’m excited to begin the process today of shaping our vision for our party and for Wales. One thing I made clear during my campaign to become leader of our party was that I wanted to re-capture not only our radical, Liberal roots, but the idea that politics should offer hope. That’s what I want us to do.

"I want to rekindle the optimism and the hope that politics once offered by setting out an aspirational vision of the Wales we want to see," she said.

In her maiden address to the party she referenced Liberal social reformer William Beveridge's 1942 report on British society, which set out five areas for transforming post-war British society; squalor, want, disease, ignorance and idleness.

"Beveridge’s work went on to transform British society and establish the welfare state as we know it. It was a promise of a better, brighter future.

"Far from having disappeared, the challenges facing society in 1942 have only changed.

"We need an economy and society that offers opportunity and hope to all. A Wales of hope and of optimism. Not a Wales that pitches us against ‘others’, that does itself down, or limits the aspirations of our citizens.

"I look forward to hearing your ideas for how we realise our vision, and hope that all members will take this opportunity to help set out a radical liberal offer to the people of Wales," she added.

Ms Dodds is seeking to lead a rercovery for the Liberal Democrats in Wales following the 2017 UK general election, which left the party without an MP in Wales, a situation which had not occurred since it's founding in 1859. The Liberal Democrats currently have only one elected AM, Kirsty Williams, who represents Brecon and Radnorshire in the assembly.