Nick Clegg today used his first leader's speech to the Liberal Democrat conference to position himself as the renegade of British politics.

Mr Clegg warned that the price of Liberal Democrat support in a hung Parliament would be major constitutional reform.

The party’s new leader, its third in two years, also sought to transform the party’s tax-raising image by promising tax cuts if they can deliver their pledges under budget.

Mr Clegg was speaking at the party’s Spring conference in Liverpool after a difficult week which saw 13 of his MPs rebel over Europe, including three members of the shadow Cabinet who resigned.

The new leader was warmly received by delegates, with many expressing confidence in his abilities to revitalise the party after a difficult three years.

Sir Menzies Campbell, his predecessor who stood down in the Autumn amid poor poll ratings and criticism about his performance, did not attend the conference and was not mentioned by Mr Clegg. Many activists, MPs and staff have been irritated by his autobiography, published last month, which revived stories about the drinking problems of Charles Kennedy, still a party favourite.

Mr Clegg told the hall that he was seeking to end “politics as usual”, and promised to be more aggressive in challenging what he called the cosy consensus of Westminster.

In an assured and warmly received performance, he said: “No wonder people are tired of politics. Tired of a system that swings like a pendulum between two establishment parties. Tired of the same old politicians, the same old fake choices, the same old feeling that nothing ever changes…

“If we want a political system that works for the future, we need to start again. From scratch.”

Mr Clegg is proposing a number of changes to restore faith in politics, including a £25,000 cap on political donations, town hall meetings and a “recall” system so that local people can vote to oust MPs like Derek Conway caught breaking the rules.

Introducing a “high risk strategy” to inspire the British people, he said he would risk court action by refusing to sign up for the identity card scheme, boycott banquets that celebrate regimes like Saudi Arabia and expose corruption in the European Parliament. In a warning to those who may have gained confidence after this week’s rebellion, he stressed that this strategy could only work if the party is “united and disciplined”.

Mr Clegg hinted he was prepared to back either a Tory – as well as Labour – minority administration in the event of a hung Parliament, saying he was raising the bar for Liberal Democrat support.

“Will I ever join a Conservative government? No. Will I ever join a Labour government? No. I will never allow the Liberal Democrats to be a mere annex to another party’s agenda.

“But I am interested in building a new type of government? Yes. Based on a pluralism instead of one party rule? Yes. A new system, that empowers people not parties? Yes.”

Aides said that he was returning to a policy of equidistance, where the party would position distance itself from Labour and the Tories, despite overtures from both in recent weeks.

In the event of a hung Parliament, any party hoping for Liberal Democrat support would have to agree to look again at the way Britain is governed, examining proportional representation, the state of devolved administrations and how Parliament response to people.

“We are not interested in having a few Cabinet ministers in a Tory or Labour government. We would look for a different sort of government, a partnership government based on a agreeing a whole range of things,” said the aide.

Mr Clegg also sought to reposition the party on tax, saying the age of higher taxes was over:

“Taxes should be fair and they should be green. They should raise the money we need and not a penny more. So, if before the General Election, we can find deliver our objectives with money to spare, we shouldn’t look for new ways to spend it. We should look for new ways to hand it back, especially to those who need it most.”

The Liberal Democrats have already promised not to raise the overall burden of tax and dropped 50p top rate of income tax, under Mr Clegg's predecessor, Sir Menzies Campbell.

Times Recommends

• An officer and a gentle woman
• Dame Helen Mirren is worthy of the Epidaurus
• Foods that can help to prevent swine flu