BRITAIN'S economic recovery is down to the Liberal Democrats' very difficult decision to go into coalition with the Conservatives three and a half years ago, Danny Alexander will announce today.

Speaking as Lib Dems gather for their annual conference in Glasgow, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury claims his party has been "essential" in pulling the country out of its slump and that it would have been a "calamity" for Britain if it had stood back and allowed a minority Tory administration to govern. The Highland MP says his challenge over the next 18 months is to ensure the Liberal Democrats "get the credit we deserve for the efforts we have made to ensure this country is on the right track economically".

He insisted: "It's only because the Liberal Democrats stood up and took responsibility for helping to see the country through these difficult times that we are able to now look ahead with a bit more optimism and confidence."