Isn't it nice that the Conservatives are reading our press releases?

For some time, Liberal Democrats have been arguing that, by being in coalition with the Conservatives, we've acted as a restraint against some of their more unpleasant tendencies. That isn't an argument that has convinced everyone, of course, with the less open to reason Labour supporters sticking to their own version of reality.

However, the Conservatives do seem utterly determined to demonstrate that we might have a point. On abortion, on welfare reform, on Europe and on taxation, the rather more unacceptable face of their party has been on show this week. And they really don't like us, do they?

Sadly, that tells you all that you need to know about modern day Conservatives. It is, they suggest, our fault for preventing them from being more aggressively right-wing. No, my friends, it's your fault for not getting a majority, it's your fault that people remember what you did to the country in the 1980's, and it's your fault for pandering to some of the worst prejudices of the British public. It's your fault for talking about freedom whilst wanting to restrict people's rights, and it's your fault for putting your friends first.

Being in government with the Conservatives is a bit like swimming in a piranha-infested river, you're alright until you start to look vulnerable. And whilst, at times, Nick has looked a bit vulnerable, he does appear to be learning.

And, in exchange for things like Police and Crime Commissioners (a pointless exercise in faux-democracy), we get things like the pupil premium which, despite Labour's cynicism, will provide better funding for disadvantaged children, increased personal allowances, and a block on renewing Trident, amongst others.

I do find myself wondering what the Conservatives have achieved though. Cutting welfare benefits? Even Labour admit that this has to be done. Reorganising the NHS? Again? Blocking Lords Reform and voting reform? Hardly a positive. You begin to see why the natives are restless in Birmingham.

So, as long as we have plans to make more lasting changes that improve the way our people live - social care, equal marriage, infrastructure investment, banking reform - we'll swim along, dodging the snapping teeth, with the confidence that Labour aren't offering a meaningful alternative yet, and don't seem likely to for a while either.