Nick Clegg insisted yesterday his party was 'here to stay ' as he predicted the Liberal Democrats would defy the odds to serve a second term in government . Despite consistently dismal poll ratings , the Lib Dem leader claimed it would win more seats than forecast and could still hold office with fewer MPs . Attacking his Conservative coalition partners , he compared David Cameron to 'Nigel Farage in a white tie ' and declared : 'Cows moo , dogs bark – and Tories cut . It 's in their DNA . ' Scroll down for video . Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg salutes the audience after speaking at a party conference in Liverpool . Mr Clegg claims his party could stop a 'rag-tag mob ' of MPs from Ukip or the Scottish National Party from holding the balance of power after the election on May 7 . Nick Clegg hugs his wife Miriam Gonzalez Durantez , a partner at a US law firm , after his speech in Liverpool . Mr Clegg also criticised Labour , despite making it clear he could foresee a coalition with either of the major parties . But he ruled out a formal coalition deal involving the SNP or Ukip . He went so far as to claim that only his party could stop a 'rag-tag mob ' of MPs from Ukip or the Scottish National Party from holding the balance of power after the election on May 7 . The latest polls have consistently put the Lib Dems on just 7 per cent , with experts predicting they will lose at least half the 57 seats they won at the last election . But , bizarrely , Mr Clegg compared their hopes for the future to last November 's landing of the Rosetta space probe on the surface of a comet . 'What an audacious , optimistic thing to have ever dreamt of attempting , ' he said . Speaking at the party 's spring conference in Liverpool , he added : ' I want us to take just a little bit of the spirit of that audacious project and to think big . ' Mr Clegg , who appeared to have matched his pink tie with the bubblegum-pink dress worn by his wife Miriam , watching from the front row , said his party would 'defy the odds and win this May ' . He added : ' I have a message for all those who are writing us off again : The Liberal Democrats are here to stay . 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 . ' However , his upbeat speech was overshadowed by an attack from Left-winger Tim Farron , who is thought to want his job . Mr Farron , the Lib Dems ' former president , said a second coalition with the Tories would tarnish the party 's reputation 'over the next generation ' . He said he would give the party just two out of ten for its handling of coalition government . Mr Clegg , who appeared to have matched his pink tie with the bubblegum-pink dress worn by his wife Miriam , watching from the front row , said his party would 'defy the odds and win this May ' Wife Miriam Gonzalez Durantez and Women 's minister Jo Swinson listen to the keynote speech in Liverpool . The Deputy Prime Minister said : ' I have a message for all those who are writing us off again : The Liberal Democrats are here to stay ' Former leader Paddy Ashdown was unable to suppress a yawn as he watched Mr Clegg deliver his speech . But former leader Paddy Ashdown said yesterday that Mr Farron should keep his ambitions in check . Lord Ashdown , who struggled to stifle a yawn during the conference , said of Mr Farron : ' I think his well-known ambitions would be better served with a little more patience and a little more judgment . 'Tim is a very able guy but judgment is not his strong suit . ' Lib Dem insiders firmly believe the party could be back in ministerial posts even if they emerge with as few as 30 seats on May 8 . They expect the Tories to emerge as the largest party , and hope they will be within 30 seats of a majority – 326 seats – so the Lib Dems can prop them up . Mr Clegg 's 46-year-old wife – a partner at a US law firm – does not get on stage to embrace her husband as other political wives do after their speeches . Yesterday , it was Mr Clegg who came down the steps – as at previous conferences – and hugged her before they left to cheers from the party faithful .
Mr Clegg claims that Dems will will more seats than forecast in May elections . Says his party can launch a ' rag - doll invasion ' of MPs from Ukip or elsewhere . Claims his party will ' defy the odds and win this May ' despite gloomy results .