Nick Clegg will insist that he and David Cameron are both “absolutely committed” to governing in coalition through to 2015 as he attempts to calm speculation over the future of the power-sharing deal.
The Deputy Prime Minister will lay into Tory backbenchers “consumed by game playing” after a week dominated by revolts over Europe and gay marriage and reject any move to the right.
But he will dismiss talk of an early break-up of the Conservative / Liberal Democrat administration and call for a refocus on the economy.
Suggestions that the coalition could split before the 2015 general election were fuelled at the weekend by an interview in which the Prime Minister raised the prospect of governing alone.
Mr Cameron said that despite some “frustrations”, the coalition remained the best way to get things done.
Delivering a speech in Westminster, Mr Clegg is expected to criticise what he calls the “rather creative coverage” of those comments.
“He echoed exactly what both of us have always believed: this coalition has been remarkably radical; it still has work to do; and the best way for us to serve and improve Britain is by finishing what we started,” he will say.
“I am absolutely committed to this coalition lasting until 2015 as is the Prime Minister.”
* The government’s controversial plans to legalise gay marriage cleared the Commons last night despite efforts by Tory backbenchers to derail the legislation.
There was applause in the House after MPs voted by 366 to 161, majority 205, to give the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill a third reading.
The legislation will go to the House of Lords after the half-term recess where it is expected to attract fierce opposition from peers, especially the bishops.