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LIVE: Clegg's conference speech LIVE: Clegg's conference speech
(10 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 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 By Emma Griffiths
OxfordSpring tweets:Camera keeps looking at Vince and Paddy- makes Clegg look so young, inexperienced and energised (?) Read OxfordSpring's tweets.
1532 Now he's moving onto controversial territory - the spending cuts suggestion. The audience is quiet when he says the previous pledges were right "for an age of plenty" but now something else is needed.
Tudortweet tweets:Oh dear. Early jokey attack on David Cameron. Conservative script-writers sharpen pens and knives ... Read Tudortweet's tweets.
1531 Mr Clegg's pops at the Tories are going down well in the conference hall. He finishes his attack by calling them "hollow" and offering only "an illusion of change" - the Tories are making an effort to poach Lib Dem voters.
1530 A roll call of former leaders is appreciated by the audience - although Mr Clegg initially doesn't spot Lord Ashdown. He also name checks Vince Cable and his foresight on the economy - Mr Cable's mansion tax announcement doesn't seem to have dented his popularity - the clapping gets louder. Big shouts when Mr Clegg says the Tories supported Iraq and only the Lib Dems "said no".
By emailNick Clegg could be a good leader if he was decisive, honest, forthright, and with good policies - his problem seems to be that he has not captured the attention of the British people. Jan
1528 From BBC chief political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg: Nick Clegg's admission that he has sometimes been 'too blunt' in interviews is almost an apology for using the phrase 'savage cuts', when outlining his approach to public spending in an interview with a newspaper at the weekend. It upset a lot of delegates here and horrified some of the party's MPs. Read BBCLauraK's tweets.
1526 Mr Clegg says people try to "goad him" by saying he's like Mr Cameron - just because they share height and a birthday in the mid 1960s. In that case he's got a lot in common with Brad Pitt he jokes - noting that his wife Miriam might not agree. It is their anniversary by the way - the man himself has just confirmed it.
1524 Now Mr Clegg's turned his fire on David Cameron, the Tory leader - he says "Britain deserves better" - to loud applause from the audience
1523 Mr Clegg says he wants "real change in Britain" and an end to the old "red-blue politics" - he adds a quick pop culture reference to Big Brother contestants' similarity to Labour MPs - they're both about to be "taken off air for good". Judging by their smiles Vince Cable and Lord Ashdown liked that one
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.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.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 liberties1519 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".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 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.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.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.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.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.