Nick Clegg will claim the Lib Dems "hold the freehold to the centre ground of British politics" in a speech to the party's spring conference later.

Nick Clegg will claim the Lib Dems "hold the freehold to the centre ground of British politics" in a speech to the party's spring conference later.

The deputy PM will attempt to rally party activists reeling from low poll ratings and public anger over cuts.

But he will resist calls from some Lib Dems to attack the Tories more often to emphasise the party's identity.

Instead, he will focus on trumpeting the party's achievements and say it is "from the middle, for the middle".

Mr Clegg will tell delegates in Sheffield: "We're on the side of the people I call Alarm Clock Britain. The side of everyone who wants to get up and get on.

"People who, unlike the wealthy, have no choice but to work hard to make ends meet."