Clegg reviews coalition approach

 10 May 2011 Last updated at 19:10 ET  The deputy prime minister will signal the coalition is entering a new period The Lib Dems will be more "muscular" in government and their influence more "visible", Nick Clegg will argue on the first anniversary of the coalition.

The deputy PM and Lib Dem leader will say the arrangement with the Tories is "stable and durable".

But he will argue it is a coalition of "necessity not conviction" and say the two parties will show their separate identities more overtly in future.

David Cameron has dismissed claims the Lib Dems are a "moderating" influence.

In an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, he said the coalition was a "partnership" with both members working in unison to tackle difficult issues rather than one constantly attempting to restrain the other - as some senior Lib Dems have suggested.

Both party leaders are reflecting on the first year of the coalition government - the first in 65 years - seeking to highlight its achievements but stressing the scale of the challenges lying ahead.

Labour leader Ed Miliband is likely to attack the coalition's record, and highlight its policy differences, at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.

'Louder voice'

Mr Clegg has been under pressure from Lib Dem activists to wield more clout in government after the party suffered its worst performance in council elections in England for 20 years and amid complaints the party had become a "human shield" for unpopular coalition decisions.

"The coalition has shown itself to be a durable, stable government," Mr Clegg will say in a wide-ranging speech. "But it is clear, not least from what we heard on the doorsteps in recent weeks, that people want the Liberal Democrats to be a louder voice in government."

The Lib Dems have been "punching above their weight" in terms of their contribution to the coalition's policy agenda, he will say - singling out their support for pensioners, the low paid, nursery education and apprenticeships - but must "do a better job" of trumpeting their achievements.

He will also signal that the coalition - which was damaged by the acrimonious campaign over plans to change the voting system in which the Lib Dems and Conservatives were on different sides of arguments - is entering a new period.

"In the next phase, both partners will be able to be clearer in their identities but equally clear about the need to support government and government policy. We will stand together but not so closely that we stand in each other's shadow," he will argue.

"You will see a strong liberal identity in a strong coalition government. You might even call it more muscular liberalism."

'Formidable force'

The Lib Dems have suggested they will block proposed NHS reforms unless substantial changes are made and will seek to be more assertive over issues such as banking reform and immigration controls.

Mr Clegg will say he relishes the opportunity to make the "Lib Dem imprint and influence more visible".

Despite's last week poll drubbing, in which the party relinquished control of nine English councils and suffered heavy losses in Scotland, Mr Clegg will argue the Lib Dems have "exactly the right answer" and their long-term electoral prospects are good.

"There is a reason neither of the two bigger parties won last May - neither of them were really trusted to deliver both a strong, dynamic economy and a fair society. We can be trusted on both counts.

"I am confident that showing we can combine economic soundness with social justice - competence with a conscience - will make us an even more formidable political force in the future."