Clegg throws down gauntlet over economy motion: he’ll be summating

An interesting detail from the Liberal Democrat autumn conference agenda, published today: the economy motion, one of the potential flash points of conference, will see the final speech in the debate given to Nick Clegg.

Any controversial amendment will be voted on moments after he has finished speaking – giving him a strong direct influence on the vote but also making it very hard for him to play down a defeat over an amendment. Higher chance of him getting his way; higher cost of failing to do so.