James Willis, parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats in Dartford

As the Liberal Democrat leader comes under criticism for suggesting he would not quit the coalition even if electoral reform is blocked, grass roots activists say they will continue to fight for the key policy ‘whatever Nick Clegg says’.

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In a question and answer session with the party members in Newcastle recently Deputy PM Nick Clegg said reform of the electoral system, which has always been a central plank of Liberal Democrat policy, was not his ‘sole purpose in life’.

His words have not gone down well with party members, who perceive that he is abandoning a fundamental Lib Dem objective, including the parliamentary candidate for Dartford, James Willis.

Mr Willis said: “It’s understandable that he wants the coalition to work, but it’s coming at a cost. Lots of Lib Dems are scrutinising what’s going on to make this coalition happen. Locally we will be working very hard to promote the ‘yes’ vote whatever Nick Clegg says.

“We are definitely having to make compromises in this coalition, but the main points that are essential to Lib Dems are the economy and treating people fairly during the recession, education — we want less social segregation in our education system, the environment — there needs to be legislation to stop us burning coal and electoral reform.

“We want people to start thinking about a referendum on electoral reform.

“There are a lot of good things that are happening as a results of the coalition, for example, I am very happy that they are listening to us about the Dartford Crossing and we have achieved some real change already. But there are definitely things that we are not happy about, but we are working together for the sake of the country.”

Nick Clegg met with members in Newcastle last Thursday and has since denied morale among the Lib Dem rank-and-file is low.

He said: “This idea that every Lib Dem activist up and down the country is in a state of doom and gloom is just so far from the truth.”