Clegg Insists Lib Dems Are 'Here To Stay'

Nick Clegg has delivered a defiant pre-election message at his party's spring conference by insisting the Liberal Democrats will do "better than anyone thinks" at the 7 May election.

Despite opinion polls indicating the Lib Dems could lose dozens of seats, the Deputy Prime Minister told delegates that the party "can and will win" in areas where it can mount a strong campaign on the doorstep.

Hailing the party's "incredible resilience", he declared: "It is because of our resilience that Britain has a strong, stable Government and a strong, stable recovery.

"It is because of our resilience that we have been able to achieve incredible things. And it is because of that resilience that we will defy the odds and win again this May.

"So when people tell you we can't, tell them where to go. I have a message for all those who are writing us off once again: the Liberal Democrats are here to stay."

Mr Clegg insisted that the Lib Dems can defy the odds in the 56 seats they currently hold.

"I've heard the predictions. I've seen the polls. But let me tell you this: we will do so much better than anyone thinks," he said.

"In those seats where we are out in force, making our case loudly and proudly, we are the ones making the weather. I've seen it for myself in Liberal Democrat seats across the country.

"We are showing that with hard work, strong local campaign teams and a record of delivering for people in national and local government, we can and will win."

At the conference in Liverpool yesterday, Mr Clegg said the final significant decisions of the current coalition Government had already been taken, with negotiations over Wednesday's Budget almost finalised.

He told activists that the fact the coalition has lasted the full term of the parliament meant the Lib Dems had "changed the political landscape forever".

Meanwhile, Mr Clegg faces a leadership challenge after top Lib Dem MP and former party president Tim Farron vowed to bring the party "back from the dead".

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, the hot favourite to succeed Mr Clegg said the party had been "tarnished" by the coalition with David Cameron.

Brushing aside alleged claims by the Clegg camp that he is a "sanctimonious, God-bothering, treacherous little s***", Mr Farron made it clear that, if there is another hung parliament after the election and he is in charge, it will take more than a limo to see him jump into bed with the Tories or Labour.

He said: "If you believe what really matters is that ministerial car, you will give way to the other side more than you should."