Nick Clegg is to hold public meetings across the country this summer to boost support for the Liberal Democrats, after the party plummeted to 13% in the polls. The move by the deputy prime minister comes after dire warnings that the party could have only 16 MPs after the next election. The party's grassroots membership has pleaded with leaders to ensure it does not get squeezed out in the coalition government.
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Clegg will try to persuade voters that his party has distinct values from the Conservatives. He will also say that the Lib Dems are having a powerful influence on policy in areas such as civil liberties and tax. His tour will come alongside a fundraising drive to make up for the loss of so-called parliamentary short money – which provided £2m a year when the Lib Dems were in opposition.
Speaking days before the summer recess begins this week, Simon Hughes, the party's deputy leader, attempted to calm nerves: "My message to troops is to have a break, steady their nerves and realise that the only polls that matter are the real ones during elections." He said all the party's MPs will be taking part in their own constituency tours during the break, followed by a drive to win the support of students during university freshers' weeks in September and October. There are also a series of committees, made up of Lib Dem MPs and peers outside government, which have been set up to challenge policy, particularly in areas controlled by Conservative ministers.
