Clegg’s speech was unrepentant and self-assured, but actions must follow words

As first seen in Professional Manager

Pre-Coalition, Lib Dem conferences used to be very different affairs. The media provided relatively benign coverage, and activists could indulge in a sort of giant back-slap-athon. The Lib Dems may have been out of the reach of power, but they knew who they were and what they represented – the good guys of politics, wielding power by influencing the debate.

These days, a Lib Dem conference is a far more solemn beast. The realities of Coalition government and plummeting poll ratings have dampened grassroots enthusiasm. Many members have left the party altogether; those that have remained want reassurance over the direction the party will take over the next three years.

Amidst this angst and navel-gazing, Clegg’s keynote speech therefore felt less “tall order” and more “mountainous task”. His first and greatest challenge was to placate disillusioned members. A focus on “going green” and holding the Conservatives to account on their environmental promises will have helped.

Clegg’s second challenge was to appeal to a broader base, to convince the “squeezed middle” he was on their side. A commitment to focus on top-down tax cuts may well appeal to those who have turned away from the Lib Dems and looked towards Labour.

His final challenge was to project a statesmanlike image, to demonstrate leadership. By resolutely stating that the party is no longer the party of opposition, Clegg described the Liberal Democrats as now being one of three parties of government. Part pep-talk, part lecture, the speech ticked the right boxes but lacked easy sound-bites.

The problem for Clegg is, as he himself said, “So much of this is about perception”. The party membership cheered at the right moments, but Clegg’s talk of the realities the country faces will have sounded like “more of the same” to others.

Talk of a leadership contest will be put to bed for now, but for the Lib Dems to claw back wider support, Clegg will need to show that the progressive policies he espouses can actually be passed as legislation.

If Clegg pulls that off, he may find that his autotuned songs on YouTube are a little more flattering.

John Hood

Consultant

john@linstockcommunications.com