Analyse on Stuart Thomson's Article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/stuart-thomson/lib-dem-conference-five-things-we-learned-_b_5951828.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-politics
1. Achievements
Nick Clegg used the Conference as an opportunity to show what the party had achieved whilst being in coalition with the Conservatives since 2010. This could be seen as Clegg reassuring the electorate that the Lib Dems have not fallen short of convergent politics by displaying what they have done differently to the Conservatives. One clear example of the Lib Dems standing out from the Tories was the subject of free school meals - Clegg incorporated the beliefs of social welfare and equality of opportunity seen in modern Liberalism and this caused criticism from both the back-bench Blues and the Conservatives in Cabinet. However, it is somewhat hard to distinguish the standing of the Lib Dems when it comes to the cutting of essential welfare, for example child benefit and the doomed topic of bedroom tax. Lib Dems may have helped families in one way, but the cutting of child benefit did not co-inside with modern liberal thinking.
2. Equidistance
Thomson suggests that the Lib Dems want to keep their distance from the Conservatives and aim to be nearer to the Labour Party if another coalition is needed in 2015. "But even the banner on the podium lectern was pointing to the left" suggests that the Lib Dems are wanting to reflect some of the policies Labour would favour, this potentially being a great weapon against the right - who are in constant conflict (UKIP v Tories). Liberal ideas on economics can easily work alongside those of Labours, due to the post-Blair consensus on Neo-liberal thinking.
3. Discontent
Many members of the Liberal Democrats have publicly talked of their discontent of the party whilst it has been in coalition, especially towards the policies of the poor. This highlights how the Liberal Democrats can be seen as a "nowhere" party due to the fact that it has had to compromise and agree with the Tories for such a long time that the members of the party no longer know what the party stands on. Convergent politics has led the party to become confusing for its members and that of the electorate.
4. The Party is not Dead
Nick Clegg wanted to show that they would be fighting strong amid the 2015 General Election. Thomson states that "this could become increasingly important if the competition to be a Coalition partner becomes more intense." The party needs to fight back its seats, especially in places such as Yorkshire, where they only hold 3 seats.
5. Tax, Spend and be Merry
Clegg reminded the nation that the tax cuts were "for the many" and did not co-inside with the political agenda of the Lib Dems.
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