Nick Clegg will make a direct appeal to credit-crunch-hit voters today, telling them only the Liberal Democrats will put cash back in their pockets through tax cuts to help make ends meet.

In his first major party conference speech since becoming leader nine months ago, he will claim nine out of 10 taxpayers would be better off under proposals backed by activists this week.

The message risks being derailed however by allegations he is not in touch with ordinary people's concerns after his apparent ignorance of how much OAPs had to live on each week was exposed in a television interview.

Further controversy could also be sparked by the party's plans to make 250,000 unsolicited automated phone calls to voters after the speech - featuring Mr Clegg's voice and a series of questions about Lib Dem policy.

The keynote address will wrap up the five-day gathering in Bournemouth at which Mr Clegg saw off a left-wing revolt to secure activists' backing for tax cuts paid for by cutting public spending.

As the party tries to take advantage of Labour's woes while fighting off the Tory advance in its southern strongholds, he will say: "Politics has changed forever. Labour is finished. It's over."

He will add: "Remember 1997. Things can only get better? It didn't happen. New Labour failed."