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Double vision - Nick Clegg addresses delegates at the Liberal Democrat conference

He knows that some of the membership are nervous about the impact of cuts on the region.

And he acknowledged in his speech that there were difficult times ahead.

But he promised that the cuts would not lead to a rerun of the 1980s for the North.

That's a crucial factor for many northern Lib Dems, who often began their political lives fighting Thatcherism.

The Deputy Prime Minister went on to outline what the Coalition had already done - the targeted at northern regions and the .

And he reiterated the Coalition's aim to rebalance the economy and end the dependance on the City of London.

All familiar territory, but he also promised .

Under what's known as or Tif, councils will be able to borrow money against future tax receipts. It's something that European local authorities have used for years.

Nick Clegg namechecked development as one possible beneficiary of that change.

He'd obviously been talking to the council's former leader, Lord Shipley.

He believes that Tif can help the council fund the development of the derelict brewery site in the centre of Newcastle as a Science Park much more quickly than if they had to wait for a private investor.

But the Conference speech wasn't the end of Nick Clegg's northern charm offensive.

He found time last night to go to the Northern delegates' reception, and deliver anotherrallying call.

This one was a full-on attack on Labour for letting down the North.

So did he win delegates over?

Judging by the people I spoke to last night, they were more than receptive to his message.

And many are completely persuaded that the cuts programme was right.

In fact they were almost overflowing with fervour for their leader and the Coalition. I even found some who expressed their liking and respect for Conservatives.

Indeed, at times you could almost have been talking to Tories, such was the commitment to tackling the deficit.

Of course, that's probably easier now when cuts are largely an academic possibility.

When the specifics emerge, life might feel a little tougher.

But so far this party is behind its leader, even if they are not behind every Coalition policy.

I'm off to interview Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron in a few minutes. I'll be interested to know his take on the Conference so far.

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