Nick Clegg: Nothing the Conservatives do can make me leave

Nick Clegg gave a speech at Demos today in which he outlined the terms of his opposition within government, and laid out his vision for how the Liberal Democrats can continue to distinguish themselves from the Conservatives.

The deputy prime minister’s speech (pdf) was widely trailed, and so the most notable revelation came in the Q&A session at the end. Dodging a question from Rowenna Davis on Europe, Nick Clegg claimed that there was nothing the Conservatives can do to make the Liberal Democrats leave the coalition.

This answers our question of December 9th, when we asked “What are Clegg’s yellow lines?”

At the time, we wrote:

Throughout this Eurozone crisis, we’ve heard a lot about David Cameron’s ‘red lines‘ on Europe – the measures he absolutely will not agree to, no matter what the result.

But what we have heard little of are the ‘yellow lines’; those areas which the junior partner in the coalition will not compromise on.

After examining the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto, we concluded:

It appears that the only lines Lib Dems won’t cross are the ones which Tories don’t want them to.

Just ten days ago, this seemed like a controversial conclusion. But now we have heard it straight from the Clegg’s mouth: He is in the coalition come what may.

See also:

• What are Clegg’s yellow lines? – Alex Hern, December 9th 2011

• Lib Dems: We are delivering on our End Child Detention pledge – Tom Brake MP, November 18th 2011

• Hammond hammers another nail in the coffin of the “greenest government ever” – Alex Hern, September 30th 2011

• Clegg’s defence of Human Rights Act as welcome as it is timely – Dr Prateek Buch, August 26th 2011

• Clegg’s £10k tax allowance is no Tory concession; it’s a Tory dream – Tim Horton and Howard Reed, May 12th 2010

http://twitter.com/cleckdan/status/148795833666637826 Dan Howard

Nick Clegg: Nothing the Conservatives do can make me leave: http://t.co/kxhyMIvg by @alexhern
http://twitter.com/luke_mas/status/148796965453447168 Luke Massey

Nick Clegg: Nothing the Conservatives do can make me leave: http://t.co/kxhyMIvg by @alexhern
http://twitter.com/goodoldmj/status/148812097667612674 Martin Johnston

Tell us something we don't know Nick RT @leftfootfwd: Clegg: Nothing Conservatives do can make me leave: http://t.co/7TgVqRYa by @alexhern
http://twitter.com/politicalplanet/status/148819406334590976 Political Planet

Nick Clegg: Nothing the Conservatives do can make me leave: Alex Hern reports on Nick Clegg's comments after his… http://t.co/OnAB2Z0J
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Moore/100002860584188 Jim Moore

He gets a very good pension plan by staying
http://twitter.com/cochis3/status/148819931247550464 Cochis

RT @leftfootfwd: Nick Clegg: Nothing the Conservatives do can make me leave http://t.co/TFhdGpWW
Anonymous

I agree Jim. It only confirms my view that he and his bedfellows have no real interest in doing what is right by people but to maintain power irrespective of the cost to him or his party. Another 24 carat hypocrite like his boss.
IronKnee

Nothing?? – can Cameron rise to the challenge?
Anonymous

I believe there may be a difference between “leaving the coalition” and “letting the Conservatives do whatever they want”. In fact, leaving the coalition and calling an early election (within the conditions of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011) may well allow the Conservatives to do what they want should they be returned with a majority of seats. Staying in the Coalition at least gives Lib Dem MPs quite a lot more influence and opportunities to enact Liberal policies than their 10% of seats might otherwise justify (as Nadine Dorries MP has noted in the past).
http://twitter.com/steve_trow/status/148860440640892928 Steve Trow

Nick Clegg: Nothing the Conservatives do can make me leave: http://t.co/kxhyMIvg by @alexhern
http://www.facebook.com/people/Paul-Barker/1546990341 Paul Barker

You seem to be forgetting that there was aperiod of Negotiation followed by an Agreement. Most of the Yellow & Blue Lines are already in that. Cameron wont push The Libdems into having to leave because he knows theres no guarantee what would happen next; PMs cant just call Elections any more.
When The Coalition was formed there was aneed to convince The Media & The Markets that it would stick. Most Voters still dont beleive it but at least The Markets have relaxed a bit, allowing the differences to me more openly discussed.
Each Party has a good idea of what the other will & wont stand, if you bet on The Coalition falling you will lose money.
Mr. Sensible

Well we’ll see…
Anonymous

I do not blame him, he would have done and said the same if it was labour only labour would have by now gone back to the country saying we cannot work with him.

I think Clegg is doing a great job making the Tories look good, which is not hard after New labour and brown, carry on mate.
http://twitter.com/janewatkinson/status/149224828262563841 Jane Watkinson

RT @leftfootfwd: Nick Clegg: Nothing the Conservatives do can make me leave http://t.co/tqVYNNQQ <confirmation tories have carte blanche.
http://twitter.com/pinkpolitika/status/149225361912238083 Pink Politika

RT @leftfootfwd: Nick Clegg: Nothing the Conservatives do can make me leave http://t.co/tqVYNNQQ <confirmation tories have carte blanche.
http://twitter.com/runningrich67/status/149228787572277248 Richard B

RT @leftfootfwd: Nick Clegg: Nothing the Conservatives do can make me leave http://t.co/tqVYNNQQ <confirmation tories have carte blanche.
http://twitter.com/cllrkrichards/status/149560951178407936 Kevin Richards

Have you no principles or shame Nick Clegg RT @leftfootfwd: Nick Clegg: Nothing the Conservatives do can make me leave http://t.co/JXq538Qd