"The Lib Dems have already championed their commitment in 2010 by ending indefinite detention and are now willing to introduce a time limit alongside resettling 1,500 Syrian refugees and ending the use of pain as a form of restraint".
I understand why the Lib Dems feel the imperative to challenge the notion that they are compliant accomplices marching to Conservative tunes.
Related: Liberal Democrat candidates support Tim Farron as the party's next leader One hundred and eleven Lib Dems who to stood for parliament on 7 May have put their names to the letter, which argues that the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale is the best candidate to rebuild the party after it lost 48 of its 56 MPs.
Judging by Julian Huppert's comments this morning (see 2.56pm), the Lib Dems think Pack has a point.
But we Lib Dems have long campaigned against the "database state".
LD 42.7%, Con 40%, Lab 7%, Ukip 3.7%, BNP 2.2% Seats where tactical voting by Labour supporters for Lib Dems and Ukip could help the Lib Dems defend seats: St Ives Liberal Democrat majority 1,719 20100).
Inevitable compromises in a power-sharing deal made the coalition unpopular with activists from both parties – and the Lib Dems are expected to pay a price by losing half their seats this time.
He resigned five days after the election, even though David Cameron had yet to agree his coalition with the Lib Dems.
But the chapters by Howarth and Huhne suggest some Lib Dems understand there is more to politics than delivering leaflets.
Nick Clegg insists he will continue to make the pro-EU case, and battle to get the Lib Dems their fair share of credit for the coalition's achievements, showing that it is credible party of government that can rein in Tory or Labour excesses, rather than one sitting on the sidelines without power.
"I promise to eat my hat if the Lib Dems only win 10 seats," he said with the help of a ventriloquist.
