The Liberal Democrats’ autumn conference rolls to a close today with Tim Farron’s keynote address. In light of the party’s humiliating performance in May’s general election, the overwhelming theme of the Bournemouth gathering has been one of comfort and reconciliation. Unlike Labour’s conference next week, which is likely to have more self-loathing overtones, Farron is focusing on the positive side of the Lib Dem years in government and Nick Clegg’s leadership. In his speech today, the new Lib Dem leader will deny it was all a mistake:
We are proud of what we did in Government. Proud of our record and proud of our party. You know, there are those that would like me to take this opportunity to distance myself from the past five years, to say it was all some dreadful mistake, to say: “I disagree with Nick.” But I don’t and I won’t.
And while Labour appears to be concentrating on sticking to its principles over winning elections, Farron will say in a very Blairite manner that the Lib Dems must focus on the latter:
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