Reuters /Birmingham
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| Clegg: positive |
The Liberal Democrats, coming to terms with unaccustomed political power, voiced defiance yesterday over their floundering poll ratings but feared that lasting economic stagnation could drag the party down.
Once mocked as a marginal grouping of sandal-wearing activists resigned to permanent opposition, the
LibDems, holding their annual conference in Birmingham, now have five cabinet ministers in Britain’s first coalition government for generations.
But with poll ratings less than half the 23% gained in last year’s general election, party leaders had to justify their decision to enter government with the Conservatives. The government has made deep spending cuts to tackle a big budget deficit its central policy, with the
LibDems hoping that fixing the economy will lend it credibility in future elections.
“We did the right thing,” party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told the conference in a speech greeted with a standing ovation and several rounds of applause. “We rose to the challenge,” he added, “and we did it knowing it meant working with our political enemies and almost certain short-term unpopularity.”
Another senior LibDem politician mocked those who would have preferred the party to spurn the Conservatives and remain in opposition.
“Those of you who want to be the still small voice of liberal conscience, flitting from (mountain) peak to peak .... like some be-sandaled Tinkerbell, you carry on. I prefer changing things for the better,” said LibDem minister David Heath.
There were few sandals on show but a man with a tattooed face and a girl with purple hair added splashes of colour to the gathering of elderly middle-class delegates at the five-day conference.