Lib Dems spring conference opens in Brighton today

The Liberal Democrats spring conference opens in Brighton today (Friday 8 March) at the Hilton Brighton Metropole.

The weekend-long conference opens a week after the party held its seat in the Eastleigh by-election, when the Conservatives were pushed into third place by the UK Independence Party.

The by-election was prompted by the resignation of former cabinet minister Chris Huhne after he admitted perverting the course of justice.

The case was brought after his ex-wife Vicky Pryce said that he persuaded her to take penalty points on her licence after he was caught by a speed camera.

Yesterday she was also convicted over the matter and the pair face the possibility of prison when they are sentenced on Monday (11 March).

Lib Dem leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg also faces questions about former party chairman Lord Rennard who denies claims that he was a serial sex pest.

The claims are being investigated even as the party was marking International Women’s Day.

The Lib Dems had already suffered in the opinion polls after supporting a rise in student tuition fees as part of the coalition agreement with the Conservatives.

At the last general election Lib Dem candidates made much of their opposition to such a rise.