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LIVE: Clegg's conference speech LIVE: Clegg's conference speech
(11 minutes later)
Watch Nick Clegg's speech as it happens from 1500 BSTWatch Nick Clegg's speech as it happens from 1500 BST
By Emma Griffiths 1511 I've just been told, and I've no reason to think it's untrue - that today is a big day for Mr Clegg in more ways than one. It's his ninth wedding anniversary apparently - his wife Miriam has been spotted walking around with him today for the cameras. They had their third child earlier this year. By Emma Griffiths 1521 MP Evan Harris smiles as Mr Clegg references his comments about his own leadership - to some laughter from the audience. He says he's pleased to be in a party that debates things democratically
BBC Political Correspondent Laura Kuenssberg tweets:Clegg wants to sound ambitious 'I want to be PM'-no notes either Read BBCLauraK's tweets.
1520 Mr Clegg starts off a series of sentences "I want to be prime minister" - spelling out his serious ambitions for the party.
1519 Mr Clegg says he "wants to be prime minister" to change the country for the good and outlines his wish list, which include an end to prejudice, tackling the environment and civil liberties
1518 Mr Clegg says Mr Brown must show leadership: "You cannot win a war on half horse power" he says. He says the war must be "done properly" or "not at all".
1516 From BBC chief political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg: It's notable that the Lib Dem leader starts his speech with Afghanistan - in the last week the party has hardened up their line on the war, saying explicitly that unless the government changes the strategy in Afghanistan, then British troops should be withdrawn. It's not clear how he'd determine that the strategy had changed to the party's liking, but Mr Clegg is trying to create a dividing line between the Lib Dems and the other two main parties on Afghanistan. They party is well aware that it's objection to the Iraq was was an electoral advantage for them in 2005. Read BBCLauraK's tweets.
1516 More applause as he mentions the bravery of soldiers' families, he repeats his call for the war to "change course" and says some Lib Dems believe troops should withdraw now "hear hear" shouts someone in the audience.
1514 Mr Clegg strikes a sombre tone by starting his speech with the death toll of soldiers in Afghanistan - Paddy Ashdown nods in the audience. Big round of applause as he pays tribute to them.
1512 A big round of applause as Mr Clegg walks on stage to some striking music - just 11 mins late. The news channels have to decide between Mr Clegg or Barack Obama talking at the UN.
1511 I've just been told, and I've no reason to think it's untrue - that today is a big day for Mr Clegg in more ways than one. It's his ninth wedding anniversary apparently - his wife Miriam has been spotted walking around with him today for the cameras. They had their third child earlier this year.
1509 The lights are dimmed. Music is playing and the usual pre-speech video is up on the big screen.1509 The lights are dimmed. Music is playing and the usual pre-speech video is up on the big screen.
1505 If the compere is to believed - Phil Willis is standing outside the conference hall in a Pudsey bear outfit - raising money for the Lib Dems, not Children in Need, I hasten to add. He's just name checked Nick Clegg so he must be in the room.1505 If the compere is to believed - Phil Willis is standing outside the conference hall in a Pudsey bear outfit - raising money for the Lib Dems, not Children in Need, I hasten to add. He's just name checked Nick Clegg so he must be in the room.
1503 The stage is filling up - not long now.1503 The stage is filling up - not long now.
1501 Members are being asked to give as much money as possible to support the Lib Dems' election efforts. Can't see Nick Clegg yet but the rows of seats seem to have filled up. Wonder how Barack Obama is getting on at the UN? The US president's speech is clashing with Mr Clegg's - the Lib Dem leader might delay for a few minutes until he finishes speaking.1501 Members are being asked to give as much money as possible to support the Lib Dems' election efforts. Can't see Nick Clegg yet but the rows of seats seem to have filled up. Wonder how Barack Obama is getting on at the UN? The US president's speech is clashing with Mr Clegg's - the Lib Dem leader might delay for a few minutes until he finishes speaking.
1459 The conference hall is filling up and a compere is on stage warming up the masses - he says Richard Dawkins has apparently been at the conference but as he hasn't seen him, he doesn't believe he exists - to a smattering of laughter1459 The conference hall is filling up and a compere is on stage warming up the masses - he says Richard Dawkins has apparently been at the conference but as he hasn't seen him, he doesn't believe he exists - to a smattering of laughter
1457 Vince Cable, the usually sure footed Treasury spokesman, admits to the BBC that he regrets not having consulted more widely on his "mansion tax" plans: "We could have had more consultation on the detail but we had discussed the broad principle before - it is about making the tax system fairer."1457 Vince Cable, the usually sure footed Treasury spokesman, admits to the BBC that he regrets not having consulted more widely on his "mansion tax" plans: "We could have had more consultation on the detail but we had discussed the broad principle before - it is about making the tax system fairer."
1455 Danny Alexander - the man in charge of the Lib Dem manifesto - says Mr Clegg's speech will be "upbeat and confident". "There's perhaps been a few stresses and strains along the way, it's in very good shape," he tells the BBC. The controversial "mansion tax" will get a mention, he insists1455 Danny Alexander - the man in charge of the Lib Dem manifesto - says Mr Clegg's speech will be "upbeat and confident". "There's perhaps been a few stresses and strains along the way, it's in very good shape," he tells the BBC. The controversial "mansion tax" will get a mention, he insists
1453 Hello and welcome to our live text commentary of Nick Clegg's big speech - what will he tell the party faithful? There's been a few bumps this week in Bournemouth and not all members - not even all Lib Dem MPs - seem won over by Vince Cable's so called "mansion tax" - on properties worth more than £1m. Others were bothered by Mr Clegg's use of the word "savage" when describing future spending cuts. And a hint that the party may not be able to afford to pledge an end to university tuition fees in England did not go down well in all quarters. Mr Clegg is likely to have a go at the Conservatives - we already know he will urge disaffected Labour voters not to think the Tories are the only option.1453 Hello and welcome to our live text commentary of Nick Clegg's big speech - what will he tell the party faithful? There's been a few bumps this week in Bournemouth and not all members - not even all Lib Dem MPs - seem won over by Vince Cable's so called "mansion tax" - on properties worth more than £1m. Others were bothered by Mr Clegg's use of the word "savage" when describing future spending cuts. And a hint that the party may not be able to afford to pledge an end to university tuition fees in England did not go down well in all quarters. Mr Clegg is likely to have a go at the Conservatives - we already know he will urge disaffected Labour voters not to think the Tories are the only option.