Liberal Democrat chiefs today launched a fightback after their party plummeted in the polls — hitting back at Labour's claim that they are propping up the Tories without seriously influencing the coalition's plans.
They claimed that in its first 10 weeks the Government had delivered on the Lib-Dems' four election priorities of fairer taxes, cleaning up politics, a fair start for children in life and a green, sustainable economy.
They hailed victories including blocking a third runway at Heathrow, rolling back the surveillance state by scrapping ID cards and the ending of child detention at immigration centres.
But the latest poll will have set alarm bells ringing as it shows the party's backing falling to 13 per cent. In theory, this could see the number of Lib-Dem MPs cut from 57 to 15.
The Lib-Dem vote, though, tends to rise during election campaigns and their MPs have a strong record of clinging on to seats. Today deputy leader Simon Hughes, MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark, said: "Every week shows how Liberal Democrats in government are moving Britain towards a fairer and more liberal future."
He spoke as party leader Nick Clegg faced growing criticism for declaring in the Commons yesterday that the Iraq war was "illegal". Critics claimed that his comments could open the way for British troops to face war trials.
