The Lib Dem spring conference begins

It was a year ago that the Liberal Democrat's rebelled over the health reforms forcing the Prime Minister to pause them. The Health and Social Care Bill is still going through Parliament but could reach the statute book in fewer than two weeks. So all eyes again on Lib Dem activists at the party's Spring Conference which begins today.

But even those in the party believe there may be little hope of members debating whether to drop the bill. Tomorrow a Lib Dem committee will have to choose between two rival motions. The first opposes the bill outright; the other supports it now it's been amended.

What's worrying many activists is that this second amendment is supported by Baroness Williams who was heavily critical of the original bill. She holds a huge amount of influence over the party and was crucial in forcing Nick Clegg to call for significant changes. If she won't oppose the bill now, many Lib Dems may simply follow suit.

Labour though is counting on the Lib Dems to rebel this weekend. The party realises there isn't much time left to kill the bill, and needs the yellows to keep up the pressure. But they may be left disappointed.