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Nick Clegg's Lib Dem conference speech: panel verdict Nick Clegg's Lib Dem conference speech: panel verdict
(34 minutes later)
Tim Farron: A speech that shows how much we've achievedTim Farron: A speech that shows how much we've achieved
Nick Clegg's speech shows how much the Liberal Democrats have achieved in government over the past three years. Twenty-three million people have received a tax cut and millions of the poorest families have been taken out of tax altogether.Nick Clegg's speech shows how much the Liberal Democrats have achieved in government over the past three years. Twenty-three million people have received a tax cut and millions of the poorest families have been taken out of tax altogether.
The decisions we have taken have been tough, but as Nick said, they have worked. Our party is showing that we can be trusted with the biggest responsibility any party can face – fixing the economy. His speech highlights that our economy is starting to heal, but we mustn't take this for granted. There is more we can and must do. This economic recovery would not have happened without the Liberal Democrats. This is something our party should be proud of. Every party member from Eastleigh to Orkney can see the results in their community, helping to make a difference for millions of people.The decisions we have taken have been tough, but as Nick said, they have worked. Our party is showing that we can be trusted with the biggest responsibility any party can face – fixing the economy. His speech highlights that our economy is starting to heal, but we mustn't take this for granted. There is more we can and must do. This economic recovery would not have happened without the Liberal Democrats. This is something our party should be proud of. Every party member from Eastleigh to Orkney can see the results in their community, helping to make a difference for millions of people.
Millions of families are proud that their young people are now earning and learning through apprenticeships and other policies like creating jobs through the regional growth fund and supporting our innovative city deals. This is all down to the Liberal Democrats in government. Labour would not have done this and neither would the Conservatives.Millions of families are proud that their young people are now earning and learning through apprenticeships and other policies like creating jobs through the regional growth fund and supporting our innovative city deals. This is all down to the Liberal Democrats in government. Labour would not have done this and neither would the Conservatives.
Nick also highlights that there cannot be a stronger economy, unless we have a fairer society. Everyone knows the Conservatives would not have cut taxes for millions of the poorest paid, increased the state pension by the largest amount ever, or ended the detention of the children of asylum seekers. We have much to be proud of it, but much more to do.Nick also highlights that there cannot be a stronger economy, unless we have a fairer society. Everyone knows the Conservatives would not have cut taxes for millions of the poorest paid, increased the state pension by the largest amount ever, or ended the detention of the children of asylum seekers. We have much to be proud of it, but much more to do.
• Tim Farron is president of the Liberal Democrats• Tim Farron is president of the Liberal Democrats
Prateek Buch: Not enough to enthuse the grassrootsPrateek Buch: Not enough to enthuse the grassroots
Nick Clegg's speech recounted the story of coalition more than the challenges still facing the nation. Issues such as healthcare and the NHS, food banks, energy and the general cost of living were conspicuous by their absence.Nick Clegg's speech recounted the story of coalition more than the challenges still facing the nation. Issues such as healthcare and the NHS, food banks, energy and the general cost of living were conspicuous by their absence.
Few would question Clegg's desire to be in government more often, but will his explicit strategy of being the official party of coalition and acting as brakes on the other parties achieve that?Few would question Clegg's desire to be in government more often, but will his explicit strategy of being the official party of coalition and acting as brakes on the other parties achieve that?
Nick says he wants to "to anchor [other parties] to the liberal centre ground, right in the centre, bang in the middle." Activists on the other hand say that you have to give voters a reason to return you to office, and the time to compromise on the policies born of our distinctive values is when we form a coalition, not when setting our own stall out. Nick says he wants to "to anchor [other parties] to the liberal centre ground, right in the centre, bang in the middle." Activists, on the other hand, say that you have to give voters a reason to return you to office, and the time to compromise on the policies born of our distinctive values is when we form a coalition, not when setting our own stall out.
The speech did too much of the former and not enough of the setting out our own stall to enthuse the grassroots. There's little doubt he has to listen to his membership, which during conference passed amendments put forward by Social Liberal Forum to key economic motions. That is as it should be in the most democratic party in UK politics.The speech did too much of the former and not enough of the setting out our own stall to enthuse the grassroots. There's little doubt he has to listen to his membership, which during conference passed amendments put forward by Social Liberal Forum to key economic motions. That is as it should be in the most democratic party in UK politics.
• Prateek Buch is director of Social Liberal Forum• Prateek Buch is director of Social Liberal Forum
Olly Grender: When he talks about why he is a liberal, it's personalOlly Grender: When he talks about why he is a liberal, it's personal
This speech is the real unexpurgated Nick. Hours spent by him typing – something he very rarely gets to do in a job where everything is on paper, arriving in boxes, drafted for you – relishing the time to think, explaining why he is here and who he is and above all what motivates him as a Liberal Democrat in government.This speech is the real unexpurgated Nick. Hours spent by him typing – something he very rarely gets to do in a job where everything is on paper, arriving in boxes, drafted for you – relishing the time to think, explaining why he is here and who he is and above all what motivates him as a Liberal Democrat in government.
The rhetorical devices his speechwriters love to use have been rejected by him in favour of sticking with this, his original wording. Now don't get me wrong. Fact checks will have been done, practice sessions will have taken place. But the authenticity of this as Nick's personal, very personal view should be in no doubt. His family's history, Miriam's family, his kids are all part of the reason he fights to deliver things like free school meals, lower taxes, more jobs.The rhetorical devices his speechwriters love to use have been rejected by him in favour of sticking with this, his original wording. Now don't get me wrong. Fact checks will have been done, practice sessions will have taken place. But the authenticity of this as Nick's personal, very personal view should be in no doubt. His family's history, Miriam's family, his kids are all part of the reason he fights to deliver things like free school meals, lower taxes, more jobs.
So when he talks about why he is internationalist, it's personal, when he talks about why he is a liberal, it's personal and when he talks about freedom and democracy it's personal. In a reverse of the Godfather, for Nick delivering in government, it's not just business and it is personal. So, an excellent speech, a personal speech, one that sets out a clear pathway to the next government and why Nick Clegg wants to take us there. So when he talks about why he is internationalist it's personal, when he talks about why he is a liberal it's personal, and when he talks about freedom and democracy it's personal. In a reverse of The Godfather, for Nick delivering in government, it's not just business and it is personal. So, an excellent speech, a personal speech, one that sets out a clear pathway to the next government and why Nick Clegg wants to take us there.
• Olly Grender is a Lib Dem peer and Nick Clegg's former director of communications at Number 10• Olly Grender is a Lib Dem peer and Nick Clegg's former director of communications at Number 10
Katherine Bavage: I am left with a feeling of slight uneaseKatherine Bavage: I am left with a feeling of slight unease
Nick did a good job of taking the natural frustrations and pessimism that members like myself share given recent polling numbers, by channeling it towards the broken two-party system. Asking "What do you think it would look like if we'd left the Tories alone in Whitehall for three years?" was a provocative question. Giving insights into some of the more wacky aspirations that Lib Dem ministers have frustrated in cabinet was well received. Indeed the mood in the room seemed more determined and optimistic than I expected. Nick did a good job of taking the natural frustrations and pessimism that members like me share given recent polling numbers, by channelling it towards the broken two-party system. Asking "What do you think it would look like if we'd left the Tories alone in Whitehall for three years?" was a provocative question. Giving insights into some of the more wacky aspirations that Lib Dem ministers have frustrated in cabinet was well received. Indeed the mood in the room seemed more determined and optimistic than I expected.
However, it did leave me thinking what the party would look like if the membership had left the leadership alone in Whitehall. I share Nick's aspiration that we will be able to be a "party of government without becoming an establishment party". Yet that wasn't what we saw on the conference floor during the debate on the economy on Monday. Party leadership figures lined up to persuade members to vote for an endorsement of "business of usual" on fiscal policy, albeit accepting some amended language committing us explicitly to prioritising sensible stuff like investment in infrastructure.
/>I am left with a feeling of slight unease. I agree totally that three parties and increased democratic choice is better for politics and the electorate. But the polls suggest the voters don't see it that way, and if we lose more seats and members how are we going to continue to hold the other two parties to the liberal centre that Nick spoke about? 		However, it did leave me thinking what the party would look like if the membership had left the leadership alone in Whitehall. I share Nick's aspiration that we will be able to be a "party of government without becoming an establishment party". Yet that wasn't what we saw on the conference floor during the debate on the economy on Monday. Party leadership figures lined up to persuade members to vote for an endorsement of "business of usual" on fiscal policy, albeit accepting some amended language committing us explicitly to prioritising sensible stuff like investment in infrastructure.
I am left with a feeling of slight unease. I agree totally that three parties and increased democratic choice is better for politics and the electorate. But the polls suggest the voters don't see it that way, and if we lose more seats and members how are we going to continue to hold the other two parties to the liberal centre that Nick spoke about?
• Katherine Bavage is 28-year-old Lib Dem member• Katherine Bavage is 28-year-old Lib Dem member
Stephen Lee: The free school meals announcement was cleverStephen Lee: The free school meals announcement was clever
Nick Clegg's departing message to Lib Dem conference was easy to anticipate: coalition may have been tough for the party but it remains right for the country. He went into the speech in high spirits – Lib Dem members having given explicit support for the leadership's economic strategy – and will leave Glasgow with a renewed sense of confidence. The free school meals announcement – a quid pro quo for the Conservatives' married couples allowance – was a particularly clever piece of manoeuvring. We rarely see split screen moments in politics and it will be interesting to see what the voting public makes of it. Nick Clegg's departing message to Lib Dem conference was easy to anticipate: coalition may have been tough for the party but it remains right for the country. He went into the speech in high spirits – Lib Dem members having given explicit support for the leadership's economic strategy – and will leave Glasgow with a renewed sense of confidence. The free school meals announcement – a quid pro quo for the Conservatives' married couples allowance – was a particularly clever piece of manoeuvring. We rarely see split-screen moments in politics and it will be interesting to see what the voting public makes of it.
Leaders' speeches at conferences tend to be a little light on detail, particularly when it comes to policy. This one was no exception. However, as the list of Lib Dem achievements in government grows, a broad narrative is beginning to form around areas such as tax fairness, social mobility, improving people's work-life balance, fiscal discipline, as well as policies the party has blocked its Conservative coalition partners from delivering.Leaders' speeches at conferences tend to be a little light on detail, particularly when it comes to policy. This one was no exception. However, as the list of Lib Dem achievements in government grows, a broad narrative is beginning to form around areas such as tax fairness, social mobility, improving people's work-life balance, fiscal discipline, as well as policies the party has blocked its Conservative coalition partners from delivering.
The strongest elements of Clegg's speech measured by the applause were around this track record in coalition. And that will no doubt please the leadership which has to juggle rigorous internal policy debate (sometimes disagreement) with the challenges of striking deals with the Conservatives on every government action. Overall, the speech reflected the Liberal Democrats typically positive attitude to the challenges that lie ahead. Liberal Democrats stood behind their leader, who will go home happy. The strongest elements of Clegg's speech measured by the applause were around this track record in coalition. And that will no doubt please the leadership, which has to juggle rigorous internal policy debate (sometimes disagreement) with the challenges of striking deals with the Conservatives on every government action. Overall, the speech reflected the Liberal Democrats typically positive attitude to the challenges that lie ahead. Liberal Democrats stood behind their leader, who will go home happy.
• Stephen Lee is chief executive of liberal thinktank CentreForum• Stephen Lee is chief executive of liberal thinktank CentreForum
Ryan Shorthouse: The Lib Dems need the ToriesRyan Shorthouse: The Lib Dems need the Tories
Clegg the warrior returned home to share stories about his perilous adventure, and the great battles he and his colleagues have won against those wicked folk, the Tories. Operation infrastructure. The Climate Change war. The tax cut revolution. Activists were moved. Proud. They trust this man to lead them into the biggest battle yet to come, the 2015 election. Clegg the warrior returned home to share stories about his perilous adventure, and the great battles he and his colleagues have won against those wicked folk, the Tories. Operation infrastructure. The climate change war. The tax cut revolution. Activists were moved. Proud. They trust this man to lead them into the biggest battle yet to come, the 2015 election.
The Lib Dems want to be seen as a human brake on Tory excess. Market liberals with a social conscience. There is a narrow electoral space for this. Such positioning works well with liberal-minded folk in southern England, fearful of Labour spending profligacy and Tories' monstrous social attitudes. Hence their victory in the Eastleigh byelection, despite their negative headlines at the time.The Lib Dems want to be seen as a human brake on Tory excess. Market liberals with a social conscience. There is a narrow electoral space for this. Such positioning works well with liberal-minded folk in southern England, fearful of Labour spending profligacy and Tories' monstrous social attitudes. Hence their victory in the Eastleigh byelection, despite their negative headlines at the time.
But Clegg's ambitions don't stop there: he wants the Liberal Democrats to be a party of the middle, for those on middle-incomes, that tames the extremes of Toryism and Labour. So, for balance, Labour was attacked. Clegg said he could give a list of barmy ideas that he would have to stop if in coalition with them. But, alas, they just didn't have any policies at the moment. Funny. And true. But just as well, really. Because, on specific flagship policies, just what would Liberal Democrats oppose when in government with them? But Clegg's ambitions don't stop there: he wants the Liberal Democrats to be a party of the middle, for those on middle incomes, that tames the extremes of Toryism and Labour. So, for balance, Labour was attacked. Clegg said he could give a list of barmy ideas that he would have to stop if in coalition with them. But, alas, they just didn't have any policies at the moment. Funny. And true. But just as well, really. Because, on specific flagship policies, just what would Liberal Democrats oppose when in government with them?
The answer is not much, at least of ample significance to carve out a distinct identity. A coalition with Labour would, in the eyes of voters, render them meaningless. It would be unlikely that they would survive as a recognisable party. Clegg trumpets that Britain needs coalition; but, really, the Liberal Democrats need another coalition with the terrible Tories in order to survive.The answer is not much, at least of ample significance to carve out a distinct identity. A coalition with Labour would, in the eyes of voters, render them meaningless. It would be unlikely that they would survive as a recognisable party. Clegg trumpets that Britain needs coalition; but, really, the Liberal Democrats need another coalition with the terrible Tories in order to survive.
• Ryan Shorthouse is director of Bright Blue which campaigns for progressive policies from the Conservative party• Ryan Shorthouse is director of Bright Blue which campaigns for progressive policies from the Conservative party
Mark Pack: A confident pitch to be in coalition againMark Pack: A confident pitch to be in coalition again
This was a much easier speech for Nick Clegg to give than he expected a few days ago. The votes on high-profile issues such as tax policy and Trident all went the leadership's way, and in good natured debates too.This was a much easier speech for Nick Clegg to give than he expected a few days ago. The votes on high-profile issues such as tax policy and Trident all went the leadership's way, and in good natured debates too.
The speech's main message was of course already given away in the stage set – making the economy stronger and society fairer. Its key new policy - free school meals – is very much in tune with making the country fairer by giving everyone a fair start in life. (Good too to see it extended to disadvantaged students in FE colleges, so often over-looked in political debates about education). The Lib Dems may not be offering motherhood, but we are offering free apple pie. And that went down very well in the hall.

The mood of the conference hall was instructive – it is not only the party leader who wants and expects to be in government to 2015 and beyond, so too do party activists.		 The speech's main message was of course already given away in the stage set – making the economy stronger and society fairer. Its key new policy - free school meals – is very much in tune with making the country fairer by giving everyone a fair start in life. (Good too to see it extended to disadvantaged students in FE colleges, so often overlooked in political debates about education). The Lib Dems may not be offering motherhood, but we are offering free apple pie. And that went down very well in the hall.

The mood of the conference hall was instructive – it is not only the party leader who wants and expects to be in government to 2015 and beyond, so too do party activists.
The long list of policies that are a favourite with Nadine Dorries but have been stopped by the Liberal Democrats in government worked particularly well. Running through it all was a confident pitch to be in coalition again after 2015, and the warmest applause was for Clegg's calls to end two-party politics. In other words – vote Lib Dem again to get a continuing move towards a stronger economy and a fairer society.The long list of policies that are a favourite with Nadine Dorries but have been stopped by the Liberal Democrats in government worked particularly well. Running through it all was a confident pitch to be in coalition again after 2015, and the warmest applause was for Clegg's calls to end two-party politics. In other words – vote Lib Dem again to get a continuing move towards a stronger economy and a fairer society.
• Mark Pack is editor of Liberal Democrat Newswire• Mark Pack is editor of Liberal Democrat Newswire
Linda Jack: Most of the party is still centre left, NickLinda Jack: Most of the party is still centre left, Nick
There was something a little lacklustre about Nick's speech, the empty chairs (in contrast with Vince Cable's speech or the economy debate) didn't help and although there was the occasional rapturous applause, the odd whoop, the speech didn't really set the conference hall alight.There was something a little lacklustre about Nick's speech, the empty chairs (in contrast with Vince Cable's speech or the economy debate) didn't help and although there was the occasional rapturous applause, the odd whoop, the speech didn't really set the conference hall alight.
I came away feeling that if I wasn't already a Liberal Democrat, Nick's welcome references to sticking to our own values and beliefs may have been a tad confusing. What values and beliefs are they then? The ones that seem to think it's OK to balance the books on the backs of the poor? To support the bedroom tax and cuts in benefits to the most vulnerable? Because the rhetoric in no way reflected the reality of two and a half years of compromise.I came away feeling that if I wasn't already a Liberal Democrat, Nick's welcome references to sticking to our own values and beliefs may have been a tad confusing. What values and beliefs are they then? The ones that seem to think it's OK to balance the books on the backs of the poor? To support the bedroom tax and cuts in benefits to the most vulnerable? Because the rhetoric in no way reflected the reality of two and a half years of compromise.
Yes, he was right to point to the things Lib Dems in government had stopped (its OK, they wanted to chop your whole leg off, but we stopped them at the knee) and the very real achievements in pupil premium and raising the income tax threshold, but he didn't clearly articulate what we were for apart from toning down the Tories. He was at his best on arguing for us to stay in Europe, but his comment about wanting to be prime minister on his own somewhat contradicted his assertion that coalition was the way to go. Yes, he was right to point to the things Lib Dems in government had stopped (it's OK, they wanted to chop your whole leg off, but we stopped them at the knee) and the very real achievements in pupil premium and raising the income tax threshold, but he didn't clearly articulate what we were for apart from toning down the Tories. He was at his best on arguing for us to stay in Europe, but his comment about wanting to be prime minister on his own somewhat contradicted his assertion that coalition was the way to go.
His passion and concern for social mobility is genuine and to be applauded, but I would urge him to understand the link with inequality. The pupil premium is great, but not much help if you are being evicted because of the bedroom tax, or living in a substandard or unsafe home, or missing out on a good breakfast. But, I have to say what really stuck in my gullet was the constant mantra about being "anchored in the centre ground", no Nick, despite your attempt to drive many of us away, the majority of the party is still centre left. It is difficult to see how anyone who honestly believes in the inspiring words in our constitution could be anything else. His passion and concern for social mobility is genuine and to be applauded, but I would urge him to understand the link with inequality. The pupil premium is great, but not much help if you are being evicted because of the bedroom tax, or living in a substandard or unsafe home, or missing out on a good breakfast. But, I have to say what really stuck in my gullet was the constant mantra about being "anchored in the centre ground". No Nick, despite your attempt to drive many of us away, the majority of the party is still centre left. It is difficult to see how anyone who honestly believes in the inspiring words in our constitution could be anything else.
• Linda Jack is chair of Liberal Left• Linda Jack is chair of Liberal Left
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