Three years ago, Nick Clegg prided himself on the harmony with which decisions were made on spending. But then, he was fêted as the man who had brought his party back into power after 65 years. Now he is seen by many as the man who killed off half of his party’s support by accepting the Tories’ toxic embrace. He needs to produce clear Lib Dem victories from the Spending Review if he wants to survive: a mansion tax, more capital expenditure or the thwarting of welfare cuts. David Laws, who is still acting as Clegg’s chief negotiator, has been known to draw his finger over his throat when conveying to Tories the peril facing his boss.