Clegg recruits Ashdown
Former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown is to head his party's strategy in the 2015 election, it was announced today.
Nick Clegg announced his appointment as chair of the 2015 general election team in his keynote speech to the Lib Dem conference this afternoon.
"I must admit, I’m not quite sure I’m ready for all those urgent e-mails and 5am phone calls," he said. "But I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have by my side. Paddy, it’s great to have you back."
In the speech he also said the Lib Dems should start viewing themselves as one of the three "parties of government" instead of one of "protest", Nick Clegg will tell his party's conference.
"If voters want a party of opposition – a 'stop the world I want to get off' party – they’ve got plenty of options, but we are not one of them," Mr Clegg will say.
His vision for the party will be laid out in his speech this afternoon, in which he will also announce plans to give an additional £500 funding to children who leave primary school below the expected level in English or Maths.