Lib Dem conference at-a-glance

By Justin Parkinson and Gavin Stamp
BBC News political reporters, in Bournemouth

THE BIG ISSUE

All eyes were on the boss. The leader's speech is the high point of any conference, when media attention is keenest and the delegates are looking for a rip-roaring performance. Nick Clegg's mistake on Tuesday, when he wrongly said the state pension was about £30 a week, increased the pressure not to mess up. Mr Clegg, strolling all over the stage at the Bournemouth International Centre, managed that, winning warm applause from delegates. Unusually for a modern political speech, there was little emphasis on the leader's personal life, save a few references to his children and pregnant wife. But the policy line of the week - the pledge to cut income tax - was hammered home clearly. Now it is time to sell it to the country. It is something Mr Clegg will have to do if his promise to move "towards" government is to mean anything.

Lib Dems promise fairness

As it happened: Clegg's speech
Your views on Clegg's speech

THE KEY WORDS

• This tag cloud displays words in proportion to their frequency
• The word count is based on the text as prepared for delivery

Analysis: Clegg speech

Clegg's speech in full

ROBOCALLS

The party plans to target 250,000 homes in 50 target seats with automated phone calls asking for opinions on its policies, and are swiftly accused of hypocrisy by the Scottish National Party. The SNP have been told off in the past after the Lib Dems complained about their use of unsolicited automated calls urging people to vote SNP. Lib Dem chief executive Lord Rennard says his plan is very different and is "market research" only.

Lib Dems defend phone poll plan

MENTAL HEALTH VOTE

Delegates voted for changes to mental health care, including ending mixed-sex wards in care units. They also called for a ban on under-18s being placed in an adult mental health ward.

SUBSIDIES 'MUST BE CUT'

Developed countries should press ahead with cuts in agricultural subsidies after the collapse of world trade talks, the Lib Dems have said. The conference backed a motion regretting the failure to reach agreement in the Doha round in July and blaming it on the "inflexibility" of developed nations. But subsidies should still be reduced to help poorer countries, it was argued.

JUST A MINUTE!

EAGLE SWOOPS

A critic has seized on Nick Clegg's gaffe on Tuesday, when he mistakenly said, in an interview, that the basic state pension was "about" £30 a week. It is actually £90.70. Treasury Minister Angela Eagle said: "Nick Clegg can't even say how much the state pension is worth. The truth is Lib Dem sums don't add up. They offer a menu without prices." And this from Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien: "Anyone who thinks that pensioners could live on £30 a week must be living in an ivory tower." Well, the Marriott Hotel in Bournemouth, actually.

DIRE WARNING

Treasury spokesman Vince Cable predicted there would be "hysteria" when the government announces its borrowing figures, as they would be "off the wall".

Vince Cable also spoke to The Daily Politics:

SIMON HOGGART'S TAKE

Are Clegg's tax plans popular? (Anne Alexander reports for The Daily Politics)

Andrew Neil talks to Lembit Opik for Today At Conference

Day Four at-a-glance

Day Three at-a-glance

Day Two at-a-glance

Day One at-a-glance

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Lib Dems
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites