23 September 2012 Last updated at 08:59 ET

Kirsty Williams admits difficult times and choices for Lib Dems

The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Kirsty Williams throws her support behind Nick Clegg as she admits the party's 'difficult times'.

The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Kirsty Williams says the party was still signing up new members despite its "difficult times".

Speaking from the party conference, Ms Williams said the UK government faced tough decisions and the Lib Dems could not get all its own way in a coalition with the Conservatives.

She said they must work together to pull the country out of recession.

Ms Williams added that her party was at its best when out campaigning.

"The country needs politicians to put differences aside to try to work to get the country out of the worst recession it has seen for decades," she told the BBC Sunday Supplement programme.

"These are difficult times for the Liberal Democrats, they reflect the difficult times facing many people in this country because of the continuing difficulties in the economy.

"But we're in good heart down here in Brighton and we're putting forward proposals to help those hardworking families who are finding it tough at the moment."

She said that once those proposals "hit home" the party "will see a reflection in the polls".

She said the party was still signing up new members on the doorsteps and was at its strongest when out campaigning.

With further spending cuts looming, Ms Williams said the party was making difficult choices.

"Undoubtedly, the government in Westminster is having to make some very tough decisions because the last government led us into a situation where we had huge levels of government debt.

"We've got a continuing storm in the eurozone which makes it even more difficult to get the economy up and running but we can't just wring our hands and say it's all very difficult - we've got to roll up our sleeves and get on with the job," she said.

But she also said she wasn't afraid to stand up to colleagues where she thought it was in the best interests of Wales, on issues such as regional pay.

Ms Williams said she was certain leader and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg would be leading the party into the next election saying he was on "top form and determined" and had received "an enthusiastic" welcome at conference.