The Lib Dems could creep back into government even if they lose half of their MPs , senior figures close to Nick Clegg have claimed . Publicly the party has boasted that it will fare better than disastrous polling ratings suggest , but privately the leadership fears it could be reduced to just 30 MPs , compared to the 57 it won in 2010 . But insiders suggest this could be enough to put them back in power , most probably with the Conservatives . Mr Clegg will use his speech to his party conference in Liverpool today to insist the Lib Dems 'are here to stay ' . In some recent polls the party has been as low as just 5 per cent , with predictions of big losses against Labour in the north of England and the SNP in Scotland . Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg during a Q & A session at the party 's spring conference yesterday . He will use his speech today to insist the Lib Dems 'are here to stay ' Jo Swinson , Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Relations , Consumer and Postal Affairs and Women and Equalities ( left ) and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander ( right ) during their speeches at the Liverpool Arena . Minister of State for Care and Support Norman Lamb addresses the conference hall on Merseyside . But Mr Clegg will insist : ' I 've heard the predictions . I 've seen the polls . But let me tell you this : we will do so much better than anyone thinks . 'In those seats where we are out in force , making our case loudly and proudly , we are the ones making the political weather . ' But privately the mood is less upbeat . Senior Lib Dems admit the election will be 'really tough ' and as many as half of their MPs will be ousted . In a bizarre twist they claim this could still be enough to put the party back in government , and keep Mr Clegg as Deputy PM . Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown at conference . The party could be reduced to just 30 MPs . Danny Alexander ( left ) and Business Secretary Vince Cable ( right ) . In some recent polls the Lib Dems have polled as low as just 5 per cent , with predictions of big losses against Labour in the north of England . Jo Swinson during her speech . Senior Lib Dems admit the coming election will be 'really tough ' for the party . It is suggested that if the Tories fall between 10 and 30 seats short of a majority , a deal could be done . However , a power-sharing agreement with Labour looks less and less likely . A source said : 'Reaching 325 is the key . If the Tories have 295 then we would be the ones to get them to that number . 'Around 30 would be enough . I ca n't see any way in which Labour forms the largest party . Everything is in favour of the Tories . 'It is going to be really tough . To get 40 seats would be amazing but 30 could still put us back in government . ' Taking questions from activists at the conference yesterday , Mr Clegg was challenged over why the party 's polls ratings were so bad and how they could be improved . Jo Swinson and Nick Clegg cast their votes . Taking questions from activists , Mr Clegg was challenged over why the party 's polls ratings were so bad and how they could be improved . Danny Alexander rallies the troops . A Lib Dem power-sharing agreement with Labour is looking unlikely . He joked that he was open to suggestions , adding 'answers on a postcard please ' . The Lib Dems have never recovered from breaking their flagship promise to scrap tuition fees which has dogged Mr Clegg throughout the five years of the coalition . Those close to the leader say he has been punished by the Tories for compromising for the coalition , but the larger party has not been hit in the same way . 'We have never properly punished the Tories for something , we have never made them eat crow , ' said a source . It is thought many in the party now wish they had halted and then scrapped the controversial health reforms which were paused but later passed by the two parties .
Senior party insiders believe half of 57 seats won in 2010 will be lost . But they claim just 30 seats could be enough to prop up the Tories . Polls suggest Conservatives will be biggest party but short of a majority . Clegg to use conference speech to insist the 'Lib Dems are here to stay '