London mayor race: the Liberal Democrat vision of Caroline Pidgeon

Her party has been taking a pounding of late, but the Lib Dem candidate for City Hall believes the middle ground can revive its fortunes in the capital

I ask her a gloomy question. She gives an upbeat reply. "Morale is actually very, very good in the party," said Caroline Pidgeon, who has the possibly onerous honour of being Liberal Democrat candidate for London mayor. "We've got tons of new members in London who are excited and energetic, and that's fantastic." Her party says there are now 10,000 of them in the capital, the highest number for decades. Plus, council by-election results have perked up since last year's general election gloom: wins in Sutton and Richmond, improved performances elsewhere. "This election is wide open," Pidgeon enthuses. "We've got a new field of candidates and I'm hopeful that as the most experienced candidate with eight years at City Hall, Londoners will give the Liberal Democrats a good vote."

Those eight years have been as a member of the London Assembly, the 25-member elected body whose job is to hold London mayors to account. In addition Pidgeon was a Southwark councillor for 12 years until 2010. Whether that experience trumps Labour candidate Sadiq Khan's 11 as a London MP including seven as a government minister as well as 12 years as a Wandsworth councillor, or Zac Goldsmith's six years representing Richmond Park and North Kingston in the Commons is one readers may wish to chat about among themselves. But Pidgeon, aged 43, is certainly hands-on versed in the nuts and bolts of the mayoral remit and the workings of City Hall.