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Lib Dems: Wednesday at-a-glance Lib Dems: Wednesday at-a-glance
(30 minutes later)
THE BIG ISSUETHE BIG ISSUE
Nick Clegg's big speech is the main event. Can he draw a line under what has been, at times, a difficult week for him? Can he lift the spirits of the party faithful as they prepare for general election battle? And perhaps most importantly of all can he convince a disaffected electorate that his party really does offer something different and that a vote for them is not a wasted vote? We will find out at 1500 BST.Nick Clegg's big speech is the main event. Can he draw a line under what has been, at times, a difficult week for him? Can he lift the spirits of the party faithful as they prepare for general election battle? And perhaps most importantly of all can he convince a disaffected electorate that his party really does offer something different and that a vote for them is not a wasted vote? We will find out at 1500 BST.
WEDNESDAY'S AGENDAWEDNESDAY'S AGENDA
0900 Emergency debates on youth unemployment and social housing0900 Emergency debates on youth unemployment and social housing
0950 Reports on the activities of Lib Dem MPs and MEPs0950 Reports on the activities of Lib Dem MPs and MEPs
1035 Debate on the policing of public demonstrations1035 Debate on the policing of public demonstrations
1110 Speech by youth and equality spokeswoman Lynne Featherstone1110 Speech by youth and equality spokeswoman Lynne Featherstone
1130 Debate on consumer rights and competition policy1130 Debate on consumer rights and competition policy
1430 Party awards1430 Party awards
1500 Keynote speech by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg1500 Keynote speech by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg
WHO ARE YA?WHO ARE YA?
Some of Nick Clegg's critics have suggested he is fighting an uphill battle to win support because most people don't even know who he is. But he says he's not worried. Speaking to BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat, he said it wasn't "fair" to say no-one knew him - in fact he'd been told that two out of three people could put a face to his name. "By the general election, I think everyone will know exactly who I am and what I stand for," he said.Some of Nick Clegg's critics have suggested he is fighting an uphill battle to win support because most people don't even know who he is. But he says he's not worried. Speaking to BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat, he said it wasn't "fair" to say no-one knew him - in fact he'd been told that two out of three people could put a face to his name. "By the general election, I think everyone will know exactly who I am and what I stand for," he said.
DOWNHILL ALL THE WAY David Heath: Champion ski jumperDOWNHILL ALL THE WAY David Heath: Champion ski jumper
Forget how much applause they get for their conference speeches, one of the most competitive contests of the week for Lib Dem MPs has been a charity ski-jumping event. No, Bournemouth has not suddenly been transplanted to the Alps. Lib Dem activists have been trying their hand at being Eddie the Eagle on a video game console, with the winner being able to donate a console to charity. As the competition nears it end, Shadow Commons spokesman David Heath leads the pack with a combined distance of 314 metres. He is closely followed by fellow MP Richard Younger-Ross and Welsh Assembly member Kirsty Williams. It is rumoured that Heath's prowess as a skier may have given him an advantage but the organisers of the event say what is really needed for success is "good balance". Perhaps that should be a hint to the party leader as he prepares to give his keynote speech. Due to his busy schedule, Nick Clegg has been one of the few MPs not able to have a go.Forget how much applause they get for their conference speeches, one of the most competitive contests of the week for Lib Dem MPs has been a charity ski-jumping event. No, Bournemouth has not suddenly been transplanted to the Alps. Lib Dem activists have been trying their hand at being Eddie the Eagle on a video game console, with the winner being able to donate a console to charity. As the competition nears it end, Shadow Commons spokesman David Heath leads the pack with a combined distance of 314 metres. He is closely followed by fellow MP Richard Younger-Ross and Welsh Assembly member Kirsty Williams. It is rumoured that Heath's prowess as a skier may have given him an advantage but the organisers of the event say what is really needed for success is "good balance". Perhaps that should be a hint to the party leader as he prepares to give his keynote speech. Due to his busy schedule, Nick Clegg has been one of the few MPs not able to have a go.
MUCK SPREADINGMUCK SPREADING
One of more unusual badges worn by Lib Dem activists this week is one calling for 'Munt not manure'. This is not heartfelt plea for greener farming practices. Tessa Munt is the Lib Dem candidate for Wells, whose Tory opponent, former minister David Heathcoat-Amory, was revealed to have claimed expenses for horse manure. There'll be no horsing around come the election though as Munt tries to overturn her opponent's 3,040 majority.One of more unusual badges worn by Lib Dem activists this week is one calling for 'Munt not manure'. This is not heartfelt plea for greener farming practices. Tessa Munt is the Lib Dem candidate for Wells, whose Tory opponent, former minister David Heathcoat-Amory, was revealed to have claimed expenses for horse manure. There'll be no horsing around come the election though as Munt tries to overturn her opponent's 3,040 majority.
EQUALITY STREETEQUALITY STREET
The Lib Dem conference may seem, at times, a million miles away from the corridors of power but the spectre of Lord Mandelson still stalks the fringe. Discussing the government's equalities bill, Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone said her hopes that it would prove "one great step forward for womankind" had been dashed. And who does she blame for this but the business secretary? She fears Mandy may have "got" to Harriet Harman, the bill's outspoken champion, forcing it to be watered-down to ease the pressure on firms to disclose how much less they pay their female employees. However, on another matter, she was more upbeat. Ms Featherstone, who openly admits she is "at odds" with the party over the need for all-women shortlists to boost its rather paltry female representation at Westminster - only eight of its 63 MPs are women - is more confident that this election will see a healthy increase in those numbers.The Lib Dem conference may seem, at times, a million miles away from the corridors of power but the spectre of Lord Mandelson still stalks the fringe. Discussing the government's equalities bill, Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone said her hopes that it would prove "one great step forward for womankind" had been dashed. And who does she blame for this but the business secretary? She fears Mandy may have "got" to Harriet Harman, the bill's outspoken champion, forcing it to be watered-down to ease the pressure on firms to disclose how much less they pay their female employees. However, on another matter, she was more upbeat. Ms Featherstone, who openly admits she is "at odds" with the party over the need for all-women shortlists to boost its rather paltry female representation at Westminster - only eight of its 63 MPs are women - is more confident that this election will see a healthy increase in those numbers.
TORY LOVE-IN? FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeTORY LOVE-IN? FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Conservative chairman Eric Pickles is hoping to woo some Lib Dems to join his party - and he made a start with the party's home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne. Describing him as "an absolutely charming individual" he said he'd be very welcome in the Tories. Mr Huhne initially laughed it off as "an amusing bit of cheekiness" but the temperature dropped after a stinging attack on the Tories' allies in Europe. "He's just playing hard to get," the Tory chairman complained. "I AM hard to get, I'm not playing hard to get," retorted Mr Huhne. "Why didn't you join the Liberal Democrats when you had a chance?" he demands. "Bless your heart," smiled Mr Pickles.Conservative chairman Eric Pickles is hoping to woo some Lib Dems to join his party - and he made a start with the party's home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne. Describing him as "an absolutely charming individual" he said he'd be very welcome in the Tories. Mr Huhne initially laughed it off as "an amusing bit of cheekiness" but the temperature dropped after a stinging attack on the Tories' allies in Europe. "He's just playing hard to get," the Tory chairman complained. "I AM hard to get, I'm not playing hard to get," retorted Mr Huhne. "Why didn't you join the Liberal Democrats when you had a chance?" he demands. "Bless your heart," smiled Mr Pickles.
THE MISSING SKINHEAD William Hague: No longer a skinheadTHE MISSING SKINHEAD William Hague: No longer a skinhead
Chris Huhne's hard-hitting attack on the Tories in his keynote conference speech was not be quite as savage as first planned, it seems. He had been planning to describe shadow foreign secretary William Hague as a "skinhead" in a strongly-worded section on David Cameron's new friends in Europe. The first draft of the speech, circulated to journalists, included the lines: "Skinhead Hague has toured the beer cellars of central Europe, and has come up with the dregs." But reporters were told on Monday evening the line had been dropped. "There were more important points he wanted to make about the Tories' policy than just William Hague's hairstyle and drinking habits," explained Danny Alexander in the morning press briefing.Chris Huhne's hard-hitting attack on the Tories in his keynote conference speech was not be quite as savage as first planned, it seems. He had been planning to describe shadow foreign secretary William Hague as a "skinhead" in a strongly-worded section on David Cameron's new friends in Europe. The first draft of the speech, circulated to journalists, included the lines: "Skinhead Hague has toured the beer cellars of central Europe, and has come up with the dregs." But reporters were told on Monday evening the line had been dropped. "There were more important points he wanted to make about the Tories' policy than just William Hague's hairstyle and drinking habits," explained Danny Alexander in the morning press briefing.
CONSIDERING POSITIONSCONSIDERING POSITIONS
Nick Clegg on Baroness ScotlandNick Clegg on Baroness Scotland
Some confusion over the Lib Dems' position on Baroness Scotland, the attorney general who's just been fined for breaching the law on employing illegal workers. On Tuesday morning Chris Huhne told the BBC that "law makers really cannot be law breakers" and he thought she would have to "consider her position". But his leader, Nick Clegg told the BBC while it was "awkward" he would not "rush to say she has got to lose her job". Conflicting viewpoints from the two former leadership rivals?Some confusion over the Lib Dems' position on Baroness Scotland, the attorney general who's just been fined for breaching the law on employing illegal workers. On Tuesday morning Chris Huhne told the BBC that "law makers really cannot be law breakers" and he thought she would have to "consider her position". But his leader, Nick Clegg told the BBC while it was "awkward" he would not "rush to say she has got to lose her job". Conflicting viewpoints from the two former leadership rivals?
Not at all, said Mr Huhne: "I think they are exactly consistent and the great thing about BBC journalists is you're obviously all trained in Kremlinology and the bad old days of the Soviet Union. The line was absolutely seamless and we were both saying the same thing." Listen and decide for yourselves.Not at all, said Mr Huhne: "I think they are exactly consistent and the great thing about BBC journalists is you're obviously all trained in Kremlinology and the bad old days of the Soviet Union. The line was absolutely seamless and we were both saying the same thing." Listen and decide for yourselves.
CONFERENCE ROUND-UPCONFERENCE ROUND-UP
Some members of the Lib Dem frontbench are understood to be unhappy about Vince Cable's "mansion tax" proposals. They believe he should have consulted them before announcing the policy of extracting a 0.5% levy from the owners of £1m plus homes and that it will not go down well with voters. At a meeting of the Lib Dem frontbench in Bournemouth, one senior MP is reported to have described the policy as "codswallop". Mr Cable said he was aware of the "sensitivities" over the policy and would look at ways of helping the small number of people who may be worse off as a result.Some members of the Lib Dem frontbench are understood to be unhappy about Vince Cable's "mansion tax" proposals. They believe he should have consulted them before announcing the policy of extracting a 0.5% levy from the owners of £1m plus homes and that it will not go down well with voters. At a meeting of the Lib Dem frontbench in Bournemouth, one senior MP is reported to have described the policy as "codswallop". Mr Cable said he was aware of the "sensitivities" over the policy and would look at ways of helping the small number of people who may be worse off as a result.
Lib Dem members backed calls for annual rail fares to be capped to the rate of inflation. They also urged the government to hold onto the East Coast mainline franchise from London to Aberdeen, soon to be forfeited by National Express, until the end of its term and to overhaul the whole franchise system to give more priority to improved passenger service.Lib Dem members backed calls for annual rail fares to be capped to the rate of inflation. They also urged the government to hold onto the East Coast mainline franchise from London to Aberdeen, soon to be forfeited by National Express, until the end of its term and to overhaul the whole franchise system to give more priority to improved passenger service.
A day after Nick Clegg said the Lib Dems had the "boldest" environmental policy of any party, the Lib Dems approved a package of climate change pledges. It is committed to cut the UK's carbon emissions by 40% by 2020 and make every home energy efficient by the same date. An amendment that would have committed the party to a limited nuclear building programme - in direct opposition to party policy - was defeated by a more narrow margin than expected.A day after Nick Clegg said the Lib Dems had the "boldest" environmental policy of any party, the Lib Dems approved a package of climate change pledges. It is committed to cut the UK's carbon emissions by 40% by 2020 and make every home energy efficient by the same date. An amendment that would have committed the party to a limited nuclear building programme - in direct opposition to party policy - was defeated by a more narrow margin than expected.
Sunday at-a-glance Monday at-a-glance Tuesday at-a-glanceSunday at-a-glance Monday at-a-glance Tuesday at-a-glance