Internal Lib Dem tensions over the Coalition’s economic strategy surfaced at the weekend’s conference. Grassroots allies of Mr Cable failed in an attempt to win an emergency debate in which they would have pushed an economic “Plan C”, or “Plan Cable”. Naomi Smith, co-chair of the Social Liberal Forum pressure group, said it was “astonishing” the conference did not discuss the economy. She added: “If the Osbornomics that Clegg and Danny [Alexander, Chief Treasury Secretary] have signed us up to is supposed to be working, with flatlined growth and inflation at double the rate of average earnings, I’d hate to see it fail.” Independent article in full
