Lib Dem Conference Backs Coalition

10.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 16th May 2010

Exeter Lib Dems at Special Conference at the NEC

Over 2000 Liberal Democrats attended a special conference at the NEC in Birmingham today and they massively endorsed the coalition agreement with the Conservatives. Amongst those attending were several Exeter Lib Dems.

It is hard to imagine either the Conservatives or Labour holding a consultative conference of its members in these circumstances, yet the Lib Dems did and it gave the party's activists the chance to challenge the parliamentary party on the recent deal with the Conservatives.

Speaking after the vote, Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said:

"It is five days since I accepted the position of Deputy Prime Minister.

"Just five days, and we now know there will be no ID cards, no third runway at Heathrow, no more fingerprinting in schools without parents' consent, no more child detention.

"Changes Liberal Democrats have spent months, years, campaigning for, are happening.

"Promises we were making to people on their doorsteps just a few weeks ago are becoming realities.

Graham Oakes commented: "I have attended conferences since 1978 and I've never known such unity. Whilst the deal creates a number of risks it was clear from all the speakers that the coalition with the Conservatives is good for Britain and good for the Lib Dems."

"I was particularly pleased that the commitment to seek to protect students was passed without opposition."