Schools reform puts stress on party

Lib Dem members will be urged to campaign against Education Secretary Michael Gove's "free schools" in a move which could cause unease for MPs expected to support a key coalition reform.

Party members will gather in Liverpool this weekend for their first annual conference since the General Election, giving them the chance to deliver their verdict on the coalition.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's parliamentary aide Norman Lamb sought to play down concerns over any tensions as he predicted the event would be a chance to "celebrate" the party being in power.

Mr Lamb – who rejected calls from one Tory backbencher for the parties to form a pact at the next election – said the party leadership was relaxed about the schools motion, which will be debated on Monday, and pointed out that party members had overwhelmingly endorsed the coalition.

"We're a vibrant party that has a soul and is determined to debate key issues and sometimes challenge Government," he said.

"I don't there's anything inconsistent with the party as a whole very strongly endorsing the coalition while inevitably compromises have to be made, but at the same time being able to debate openly things we feel passionate about."

He insisted that in spite of the party signing up to Government cuts, it had gained 4,005 members since the General Election.

More than 6,500 delegates have already signed up to attend the event – an increase of 40 per cent on previous years.

Several Tory Ministers will attend fringe meetings at the conference, which runs until Wednesday.

Party sources expect an emergency motion to be tabled allowing discussion of the Trident nuclear deterrent, which the Tories want renewed but on which Lib Dems will be allowed to abstain in any vote.