Special Lib dem conference votes overwhelmingly for coalition. Nick Clegg triumphant

The story this morning was Nick Clegg coming under fire from activists prior to the special lib dem conference at the NEC in Birmingham.

Mr Clegg had managed to get the 75% support from his MPs and the Lib Dem federal executive which he needed to avoid the ‘triple lock’ which would have entailed a postal vote by members and concievably the biggest climb-down in British electoral history.

The conference had a vote but it was effectively powerless to stop the coalition which is now a done deal.

There have been rumblings. Charles Kennedy has been openly sceptical, even ultra-loyal Paddy Ashdown expressed concern. The polls have not been favourable since the election. The ICM poll for the Telegraph indicates a 3% fall to 21% for the party since the election.

The leadership organised the special conference to allow activists to consider the current alliance with the tories. Mr Clegg was a little apprehensive about the outcome as there has been trenchant criticism coming from many different parts of the party.

Danny Alexander, the new Scottish Secretary was more upbeat. He thought that most activists were in favour of the deal.

Well all of that is now history. I can report that the vote has now happened. Mr Clegg won the overwhelming support of those present, in fact he also got a standing ovation.

Now in terms of democracy within the party this is not of tremendous significance but it is a very encouraging sign for Nick Clegg that his actions are winning hearts and minds within the lib dem party at large. Let’s face it, the outcome could have gone the other way and his progress in the new government could have been diluted by an ongoing fight with the grassroots of the party.

I take it as a sign that the lib dems are happy to be in bed with the tories. The prospect of power and the implementation of some of their policies is a compromise they look happy to live with. We could be negative about all of this and I am on record that this alliance could be the death of the lib dems as a political force in the United Kingdom. That is far in the future though and is really up to them to consider.

I am reasonably happy that there is not a rampant tory party in power with a decent majority. In the current dire economic circumstances that could be painful  in the extreme. At least we have some moderating influence at play. I suspect that the lib dems actual influence on events will be much less than the party currently thinks, but half a loaf is better than none.

So, good Luck Mr Nick Clegg and the plucky lib dem party. We all have a big stake in your success in the years to come I hope things work out and your present enthusiasm will survive the slings and arrows which will undoubtedly come…