Clegg eyes mass appeal for Lib Dems

In advance of his first annual Lib Dem conference as leader next week, Mr Clegg called on the party to demonstrate it is on the side of millions of families struggling against a worsening economy.

While past Lib Dem conferences have been mocked for their concern with controversial fringe issues, he urged the party to concentrate on people's real concerns.

Mr Clegg said: "This conference is very much about making sure our policies are bang up to date, really answering the needs and the everyday challenges facing British families. And I think the whole party's very committed to doing that, the constant need to make sure we are on the side of the vast majority of British families who are now going to find life a lot tougher than it has been for some time."

Despite a difficult year for the Lib Dems as the Tories have soared in the polls and Labour has declined, Mr Clegg insisted the party's mood was "very good" and that it was well placed heading into the next election.

He also rejected suggestions that the party was being squeezed by Conservative leader David Cameron's ascent, but admitted he wanted to do better.

"We are actually about three or four points higher on average in the opinion polls than we were last October or a year ago. Do I think we should do better? Every party leader wants to do better all the time. But there is no evidence that we have been seriously squeezed. The second thing is, there is a massive gap in British politics which we are seeking to fill."

But the Lib Dem leader made clear that required the party to focus on mainstream concerns. "There is a huge gap there to really stand up for the vast majority of British households who I think really need a break," he said.

While the current opinion polls suggest the Tories are in a position to win an outright majority at the next election, Mr Clegg would not speculate about who the Lib Dems would side with if there was a hung Parliament.

"My only interest - and duty - at the moment is to spell out in ever-clear terms what we offer to the British people and why we are distinct from the other parties," he said. "I'm not the slightest bit interested in indulging in playing footsie with the other parties in the Westminster village."