So how are you planning to get women to vote for the Lib Dems in the next election?

By spelling out that a vote for the Lib Dems will help create the kind of society that I think a lot of people want. Namely one where we don’t saddle our kids with this generation’s debts but where we also spread opportunity for everybody to live the life they want. So what policies show that? Well, all the things we’ve done to ensure kids have got the best possible start in life, from better childcare aged two, through to the healthy meal they eat at lunchtime. Also, our belief is that parents can decide for themselves how they balance family with work through shared parental leave and tax-free childcare. Also, the issue of housing for the next generation; we will build 250 to 300,000 homes per year over the next several years to make sure that there are enough homes for the next generation. So I think our values are the values of a decent society, where everybody has a fair crack of the whip.

What do you think are going to be the biggest challenges for the next government?

If this Parliament was basically about rescuing the economy and making sure that we didn’t topple over like Greece, I think the central mission of the next Parliament should be a much more uplifting task. It’s about finishing the job and then showing there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and that we can do things differently and better again. That’s why I’m the only party leader to spell out when austerity will end [in 2017/ 2018]. The big difference is the Tories have said that even when the deficit is ended, they want to carry on with the same approach with cutting. In other words, they want to see the same amount of money going into public services. But I don’t think anybody wants austerity forever.

Hasn’t Greece shown that people will only take so much?

Yes, of course, and with good reason. And by the way, when we came to power, our deficit was only slightly less than Greece’s and however many brickbats and criticisms might come my way, I will, for as long as I live, be incredibly proud that my party played a role in pulling this country back from the brink. But all I’m saying to people is that we’ve got two or three years to go, a few more years of difficult decisions and we need to ask the very wealthy to pay a little bit extra to finish that job. Then we can start investing in public services again in line with the growth of the economy.

There’s talk there might be a triple coalition post-election…

[He rolls his eyes] Just imagine.

What advice would you offer these parties?

What do you need to be aware of with regards to compromises and managing voters’ expectations? Oh my God, that’s a good question. I thought I had most questions but this is a left field one. Erm, say that again, says he, desperately trying to buy time to think of a good answer.

The political interview: Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat Party