Not many Lib Dems will have seen Nick Clegg get a pasting on Newsnight last night (and those that did will blame Jeremy Paxman for being rude).
But plenty of them admit that his leadership is still a work in progress. There's no hostility, the tax vote on Monday went the leadership's way and the policy is brave, neither Vince Cable or Chris Huhne are causing trouble ... but something isn't quite right.
Clegg looks young, a bit inexperienced, he hasn't found the right public language, he sounds a touch waffly and weak - though in private he's passionate.
Cable let slip his concerns at a fringe meeting yesterday, when he said Clegg "will be" a good leader. Everyone here hopes that turns out to be right. But there is anxiety behind the applause.
