The conference was getting under way after the Lib Dems slipped to sixth place in the Barnsley Central by-election, which was held by Labour.

BBC: Lib Dems aim to boost MSP numbers ahead of conference

There have been grim by-election results, including a jaw-dropping sixth place in Barnsley Central (where the Lib Dem candidate was spat at in the street).

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

There have been 12 by-elections in England and Scotland since the start of the current Parliament - Oldham and Saddleworth, Barnsley Central, Leicester South, Inverclyde, Feltham and Heston, Bradford West, Corby, Manchester Central, Cardiff South and Penarth, Rotherham, Middlesbrough and Croydon North.

BBC: Voting nearing an end in Eastleigh by-election