COMMENT: Cradle to college, Lib Dem Nick wants another go

The Liberal Democrats had won more votes but the voting system cost them seats, writes Daniel Wainwright.

Faced with the offer of a chance to be in government, to sit around the table and get Lib Dem policies passed, the only thing he could really do was join forces with the Tories. The numbers did not work for Labour. Turning David Cameron down and sniping from the backbenches would have made people wonder what was the point of voting for the Lib Dems at all.

The Deputy Prime Minister had a lot to say. Unfortunately many people did not get to hear it because the radio mic broke down part way through his passionate appeal.

Mr Clegg believes he is the man who can save Britain from either being sold out to Alex Salmond and the SNP or to Nigel Farage and UKIP.

"This manifesto is an insurance policy against a government lurching off to the extremes," he said.

To be honest, that's not a particularly great selling point. Insurance is safe. It's dependable. It's not particularly sexy though. It doesn't exactly scream 'change' the way the Lib Dem campaign did five years ago.

Offering himself to both the major parties he said: "We will add a heart to a Conservative government and we will add a brain to a Labour one."

On the front page were five priority policies which will be 'red lines' in any coalition negotiation and which Mr Clegg said could be summed up in the single word: 'Opportunity'.

What Mr Clegg insists on includes balancing the national budget in a fair way; guaranteed education funding "from cradle to college"; an increase to £12,500 in the income tax personal allowance; an £8 billion hike in NHS funding; and five green laws to protect the environment.

"This manifesto is a plan to finish the job of balancing the books, and to do so fairly by protecting our schools, hospitals and public services," he said.

"At its heart is one word that is absolutely central to what Liberal Democrats believe: opportunity. No matter who you are, where you were born, what sexuality or religion you are or what colour your skin is, you should have the same opportunity to get on in life."

The problem is if people do ditch Liberal Democrat MPs elsewhere in the country, his negotiating power will be vastly diminished.

The lines might well be red but they will be erased as easily as any others if the Lib Dems are no longer a major force in British politics.