Clegg upbeat ahead of conference

Nick Clegg says his party approaches its conference in good heart

Nick Clegg has insisted the Liberal Democrats are holding their own in the polls and not being "squeezed" by a resurgent Conservative Party.

As Lib Dem members head to Bournemouth for their autumn conference, Mr Clegg's first as leader, he said the mood in the party was "very good".

He urged members to focus on the "needs and everyday challenges" of the British people with "bang-up-to-date policies".

There was a "massive gap" in politics for the party to fill, he added.

Good shape

In an interview with the Press Association, Mr Clegg said his party was in good shape despite concerns it has lost ground to the Tories as David Cameron has established a clear lead in the polls.

"We are actually about three or four points higher on average in the opinion polls than we were last October or a year ago," he said.

There is a huge gap there to really stand up for the vast majority of British households who I think really need a break Nick Clegg, Lib Dem leader

All leaders wanted to improve their party's position, Mr Clegg said, but he stressed there was "no evidence we have been seriously squeezed".

Mr Clegg will use the conference to set out his party's changed thinking on taxation, with members being asked to support the leadership's aspiration to cut the overall tax burden for 90% of households.

The party is already committed to cutting 4p off the basic rate of income tax, paid for by closing tax loopholes used by the wealthy and raising more through green taxes.

But with the economy deteriorating and living costs rising sharply, Mr Clegg said his party must be clear about its objective of making life easier for the "vast majority of British families".

The Lib Dems believe they have identified £20bn in efficiency savings to be made in government spending, some of which can be used to cut taxes for middle income earners.

"There is a massive gap in British politics which we are seeking to fill," Mr Clegg added. "There is a huge gap there to really stand up for the vast majority of British households who I think really need a break."

'Confusion'

But in an separate interview, party president Simon Hughes admitted there had been some "confusion" about its intentions on tax.

I think the British public do not yet understand that we want to cut income tax for people on low incomes Simon Hughes, Lib Dem president

He stressed that tax cuts for middle income earners were an option the party wanted to consider and not a pledge.

And he said the party needed to get the message across about its pledged support for those on low incomes much better.

"I think the British public do not yet understand that we want to cut income tax for people on low incomes," he told Andrew Neil in an interview with Straight Talk to be broadcast on the BBC News Channel on Saturday and Sunday.

"We must promote it. We must sing it from the rooftops."