The Liberal Democrats will be rebuilt in Charles Kennedy’s honour, Tim Farron has vowed to party members.
Mr Farron paid tribute to the late leader in his first keynote address to the party conference as leader.
His remarks came hours after activists paid their own light-hearted tribute to Mr Kennedy at the party’s infamous Glee Club.
Controversial songs referring to Mr Kennedy’s drinking were not sung by members, despite being published in the annual Liberator lyrics book.
Mr Farron said the death of Mr Kennedy put into perspective the election defeats suffered by the party in May.
He said: “Charles’s death has robbed us of the sharpest mind, the wittiest tongue and the nicest bloke.
“The 23-year-old who came from fourth place to gain Ross, Cromarty and Skye, that same Charles Kennedy who inspired so many who had doubts to support the merger of Social Democrats and Liberals.
“Charles, who led us to our largest number of MPs in living memory; Charles, who took on every corner of the establishment and led the campaign against the illegal Iraq War.
“Charles, we are so proud of you, and we will rebuild and we will fight back and we will do it in your honour.”
Party members offered an extended standing ovation to Mr Kennedy during a tribute session on day four of the conference in Bournemouth.