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Nick Clegg is to tell Lib Dem members they will benefit from economic reforms by the next election
The Liberal Democrats are preparing to meet at their annual conference as a party in power, for the first time in 65 years.
Leader Nick Clegg is expected to try to allay fears over the pace and depth of the deficit reduction.
The deputy prime minister is expected to say the party can reap the electoral benefits of growing economic strength in time for the next general election.
The conference will be held in Liverpool from 18 to 22 September.
The party's poor showing in recent opinion polls could mean that the concerns of party members are directed at Mr Clegg.
In the run up to the conference, Mr Clegg said Lib Dem activists are "gripped by fear of the unknown" about the coalition government.
He has also said he expects a rough ride from delegates over the government's planned spending cuts, but he urged them not to give in to "anxiety" and see the "wider picture".
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The Lib Dem leader said five months into their power sharing deal with the Conservatives, and weeks away from a massive public spending review, party members had clearly reached the "most anxious psychological point".
But he said: "As people start seeing it is a plan that makes sense and will work, we will restore economic growth and confidence will grow."
Mark Littlewood, former Lib Dem head of media and now director general of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said Mr Clegg must "look confident in government" and must "get across a distinctly Liberal Democrat message to the electorate".
He added: "I think what they've got to try and work out, not just this week, but over the next few years, is what is the distinct Lib Dem message within the coalition? How does it differ from the Conservative message? What is the purpose of voting Lib Dem any more? Why not just vote for Conservatives if you like the coalition?
"At the moment, I think largely because the senior members of the Lib Dems are in government having to run the country, not enough thought and attention is being paid to that."
Mr Littlewood also said Mr Clegg and other Lib Dem ministers "can be quite proud" of their political achievements since forming a government.
"But I think he's going to have to spell out what the long term vision of the coalition, and what the Lib Dem contribution will be to that, rather than just the message on the immediate austerity cuts that are needed to keep the economy on the level."
Mr Littlewood said that those attending the conference will be looking to Mr Clegg to set a new framework of Liberal ideas.
"There will be lots of discussions about what Lib Dems have won, how much of the polices going through are Lib Dem - certainly more than if they'd been in opposition."
Mr Littlewood said there will be a "lot of chat about electoral reform referendum" which he described as the "Holy Grail for Lib Dems".
He added: "If that does lead to change in the voting system Clegg will be forgiven a lot, but if it's a no, I think it will get quite difficult for him."
This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Nick Clegg is to tell Lib Dem members they will benefit from economic reforms by the next election The Liberal Democrats are preparing to meet at their annual conference as a party in power, for the first time in 65 years.
Leader Nick Clegg is expected to try to allay fears over the pace and depth of the deficit reduction.
The deputy prime minister is expected to say the party can reap the electoral benefits of growing economic strength in time for the next general election.
The conference will be held in Liverpool from 18 to 22 September.
The party's poor showing in recent opinion polls could mean that the concerns of party members are directed at Mr Clegg.
In the run up to the conference, Mr Clegg said Lib Dem activists are "gripped by fear of the unknown" about the coalition government.
He has also said he expects a rough ride from delegates over the government's planned spending cuts, but he urged them not to give in to "anxiety" and see the "wider picture".
Related stories
The Lib Dem leader said five months into their power sharing deal with the Conservatives, and weeks away from a massive public spending review, party members had clearly reached the "most anxious psychological point".
But he said: "As people start seeing it is a plan that makes sense and will work, we will restore economic growth and confidence will grow."
Mark Littlewood, former Lib Dem head of media and now director general of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said Mr Clegg must "look confident in government" and must "get across a distinctly Liberal Democrat message to the electorate".
He added: "I think what they've got to try and work out, not just this week, but over the next few years, is what is the distinct Lib Dem message within the coalition? How does it differ from the Conservative message? What is the purpose of voting Lib Dem any more? Why not just vote for Conservatives if you like the coalition?
"At the moment, I think largely because the senior members of the Lib Dems are in government having to run the country, not enough thought and attention is being paid to that."
Mr Littlewood also said Mr Clegg and other Lib Dem ministers "can be quite proud" of their political achievements since forming a government.
"But I think he's going to have to spell out what the long term vision of the coalition, and what the Lib Dem contribution will be to that, rather than just the message on the immediate austerity cuts that are needed to keep the economy on the level."
Mr Littlewood said that those attending the conference will be looking to Mr Clegg to set a new framework of Liberal ideas.
"There will be lots of discussions about what Lib Dems have won, how much of the polices going through are Lib Dem - certainly more than if they'd been in opposition."
Mr Littlewood said there will be a "lot of chat about electoral reform referendum" which he described as the "Holy Grail for Lib Dems".
He added: "If that does lead to change in the voting system Clegg will be forgiven a lot, but if it's a no, I think it will get quite difficult for him."
This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.