Nick Clegg's bid to defend his record in coalition is given muted approval

DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg yesterday tried to rally the Liberal Democrat faithful by promising them he could protect the party's "soul" in the coalition with the Tories.

Following a bruising defeat on Saturday over English NHS reforms and with increasing panic among activists over the Holyrood, Welsh Assembly and English council election results, Mr Clegg gave a 40 minute speech at the spring conference in Sheffield defending his record in government.

He told the delegates that he had "not changed one bit" and said that despite issues such as reversing their policy on tuition fees, the party was making a difference and had claimed the "freehold on the middle ground in politics."

However, with applause at times muted, especially when he spoke of protecting NHS and international development spending, Mr Clegg appeared to struggle to convince even members in his own party.

He said it would have been wrong for the Lib Dems to cling to the "comfort blanket of opposition" - stressing achievements in securing tax cuts for the poorest, stronger civil liberties, and a referendum on the Alternative Vote.

He added: "Never, ever doubt the value of being in government."

Referring to reports that a criminal plot against him had led police to throw a 2 million ring of steel around the conference, he joked that Prime Minister David Cameron had not "kidnapped me".

"My life may have changed a fair bit since the last election. But I haven't changed one bit," he said.

"We all know that we did not take the easy path last May. But we did take the right path."

He also resurrected his "Alarm Clock Britain" phrase in a bid to define the Lib Dems' core voters.

They are the people who are "proud to support themselves, but are only ever one pay cheque away from their overdraft", he claimed.

"People who, unlike the wealthy, have no choice but to work hard to make ends meet."

And he launched a scathing attack on Labour for underhand tactics and leaving the country's finances in chaos.

He lambasted Labour-run Manchester council for cutting 2,000 jobs, suggesting they may be taking the drastic action to harm the coalition.

"Anyone who sacks a member of staff or shuts down a public service for political purposes is a disgrace to politics and a disgrace to Britain," he added.