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Stay positive

The Lib Dem conference begins today, and Nick Clegg wants to celebrate the party's achievements

By Sophie Elmhirst Published 17 September 2011 10:23

Lib Dems are beginning to gather in Birmingham - the city of choice for the Liberal Democrat autumn conference. In an interview with the BBC, Nick Clegg has acknowledged that it has not been an easy period for his pary:

It's been a really tough year. We came into government in what were obviously controversial circumstances because we are governing with our sworn enemies the Conservative Party, and, even more controversially, we're having to make very, very difficult and in some cases downright unpopular decisions.

However, the LIb Dem leader is also adamant that the party will use the occasion of the conference to celebrate their achievements in government, not least in acting as a "moderating influence" on their coalition partners, the Conservatives. He will also take the opportunity to "highlight how Liberal Democrats in government are making Britain a fairer, greener and more liberal country".

Some might find such optimism hard to stomach, but given the collapse in Lib Dem support among the electorate (the party lost 747 councillors in the local elections earlier this year), Clegg is evidently keen to try and resurrect the image of the party.

At the conference, delegates will vote on 15 policy motions, including motions on welfare reform, adult social care, phone hacking and Lords reform - and Clegg will give his keynote speech on Wednesday.

Tags: Liberal Democrats

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15 comments

Sat, 2011-09-17 12:05 — Mel Davis (not verified)

Well, that will last all of two minutes then won't it? All Clegg has done is nod along with the Tories so what has he achieved exactly?

Sat, 2011-09-17 12:43 — Actionfitz

Oh yes, he's been a moderating influence on regressive policies and legislation... policies that would not have been possible had the Lib Dems not formed a coalition the first place.

I highly doubt we'd be in danger of losing our NHS and more if the conservatives had to go it alone in parliament.

Mr Clegg I hold you as much responsible for the actions of Osborne and Cameron as they are themselves.

We all knew what we would get if Cameron and his bullington chums got their hands on power... so many of us tragically voted for you.

Fool me once shame on you... fool me twice shame on me.

Good luck next election time.
Maybe you can get a safe conservative seat in the next parliament - after the Torys have gerrymandered the hell out of the electoral landscape.

Sat, 2011-09-17 12:54 — mr_wonderful (not verified)

Or how Nick Clegg sacrificed his party so he got to play at being Deputy PM for 5 years.

Sat, 2011-09-17 13:25 — madasbalooons (not verified)

Achieved what?

Sat, 2011-09-17 13:58 — tamster (not verified)

Wonder if Clegg manage to look less sweaty, flabby and liverish when he appears in front of the party zombies ?

Even Charles Kennedy didn't look as if he was hungover all the time.

Sat, 2011-09-17 14:26 — Freeman2

'... celebrate their achievements in government, not least in acting as a "moderating influence" on their coalition partners, the Conservatives.'

Yes, just imagine what a minority Tory government would have done - an economic policy that took us back into recession, marketising the HNS, attacking the disabled and the poor. Just as well the Lib Dems are 'moderating' them, eh?

Sat, 2011-09-17 15:57 — kenelm (not verified)

The LibDems support for the Tories is a life-changing event.

I was stupid enough to vote for them in 2005, and was close to doing so again in 2010 (but didn't).

But ... I will never vote from them again. Until Hell freezes over. Not when I still breathe. That's it, Clegg, you might as well give up and join your Tory friends.

Sat, 2011-09-17 16:15 — Anton Jury (not verified)

Stay Positive !

At least David Cameron and the Conservative Party can because Nick Clegg is totally one of them. That is a really big positive.

I am wondering if Nick Clegg will be wearing a Tory Rossett at some point during the Liberal Democrat Conference.

Sat, 2011-09-17 16:20 — Anton Jury (not verified)

Slight spelling mistake in my above comment which should have read " Tory Rosette ".

Sat, 2011-09-17 16:22 — mike cobley (not verified)

By 2015 the country will be a narrower, greyer, more callous and mean-spirited place, just going by the changes already coming online. Where's the achievement in that/

Sat, 2011-09-17 16:34 — matthew fox (not verified)

Staying positive for Clegg is easy, the minute he is turfed out, he will be sent to Brussels as an EU Commissioner.

Cable,Alexander, Huhne and the rest of the rabble will be sent to the Lords as pay off.

Sat, 2011-09-17 19:46 — p j wall (not verified)

Cleggs speech to the Limp Dems will state how he`s turned their party into a despised, cowardly, unprincipled, self serving, appeasers of the Nasty parties extreme cuts!!, and to most voters, the glee in which they are collaborating with Flashman and Gideon will lead to their total destruction at the next election!, Clegg and Alexander are like two yellow belly shithouses, grateful to be in company of their natural party the Tories!, they know like many other Limp Dems they`re toast in 2015!, so they`re enjoying the gravy train of power as Tory Lap dogs for their own selfish needs, more then likely, some will even jump ship to the Tory party itself!!, They are a total disgrace!, At least with the Tories you know they`re going to piss all over the working classes, Screw anyone on benefits or living in poverty, look after the wealthiest in society, and be nasty little Xenaphobes!!, But Clegg, enjoy your last three and a half years in power, because Flashman is laughing his cock off, He can`t believe how gullible and stupid you are!!, and in 2015 the electorate will show you and your cowardly turncoats exactly what they think of you!, a pathetic little man.

Sat, 2011-09-17 20:21 — Hugh Markey (not verified)

As some old timer, Gabby Hayes for instance, was sure to remark in a Hollyowood horse opera when faced with a 'sidewinder' of a villain -"Somebody round hereabouts needs hangin', real bad!"
Let's hope, not too fervently, that the Rev'd Simon manages to talk some of these hotheads into a peaceable frame of mind before the big showdown at the LibDem Con in B'ham, Alabama or is it B'ham, England.
Fergit which.
Yellah - yup, that's the colour them Shoshones mightily dislikes. Any galoot speaks to 'em with forked tongue - they guts him like, real slow, and turns 'im into buzzard meat!
A lynching is much easier! You don't get to pray so long.
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