Gerri Peev: Taleban, toffs and tepid conference

The sun may be shining but Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey was threatening to hose down over Nick Clegg's parade by calling for a new policy in Afghanistan. This would, he said, involve "taking tea with the Taleban".
Iain Dale has a good summary of Davey's (PG) tips over here http://tiny.cc/RaiU1 .

Nick Clegg keeps referring to David Cameron and the Conservatives "expecting to govern" and attacking their "sense of entitlement"... Clegg insisted in a recent interview in the London Evening Standard that he would not be launching class warfare against the Tories. This would be odd, he admitted "for someone who went to public school". But the son of a merchant banker is clearly hoping there is a dog whistle effect here. He senses the disquiet over Cameron's privileged upbringing and hopes to exploit it. He should perhaps hope that no one points out how rich some of his frontbench team are, including millionaire Chris Huhne.

There is a distinct lack of atmosphere at this year's Lib Dem conference. So far, it seems woefully under-attended for a pre- general election rally. The party has until Wednesday to generate a sense of excitement. Wonder if Joanna Lumley will make a star appearance? Given that major international events tend to coincide with Lib Dem conference, expect another calamity in the days ahead. (Not just the leader's speech.)