Nick Clegg told his colleagues in Liverpool that the Liberal Democrats must hold their nerve in the coming months of cuts. But earlier in the day delegates gave the party a bloody nose by voting through a motion calling for a boycott of the coalition's schools policy.
Columnist John Harris is on hand to give his verdict on what was being described in some parts the toughest leader's speech of conference season.
Michael White hears from delegates, MPs, MEPs and Lords in the Echo arena in Liverpool's Albert Docks on what they thought.
We also hear from Chris Huhne and Andrew Adonis who spoke at the Guardian's fringe debate. Huhne appeared to say that the level of government cuts could change depending on economic circumstances.
Leave your thoughts below. Michael White is back tomorrow.
