THE LibDems are on mission impossible in Glasgow.

Its support is expected to disappear and the party faces being marginalised in the epic battle between Labour and the SNP.

Today, political correspondent STEWART PATERSON reports on how the LibDem supporters from 2010 could still have a say in who wins in Glasgow.

FIVE years ago the Liberal Democrats were in second place in two Glasgow seats and third place overall across the city.

Few expect a repeat as the party faces a backlash for its coalition with the Conservatives at Westminster and Nick Clegg's infamous no tuition fees pledge.

The LibDems polled more than 31,000 votes in Glasgow in 2010 and in some seats where these votes go is likely to be crucial.

The party's money and personnel is being invested in holding as many of the 11 Scottish MPs they have including Jo Swinson in East Dunbartonshire.

Glasgow does not figure in that plan though the voters they have given up on are important in several of the city seats.

In Glasgow North, Katy Gordon was only 4000 behind Labour polling more than 9000 votes.

In North West, Natalie McKee was also second although her 5622 votes was never going to trouble John Robertson's huge Labour majority.

If, as expected, the party's vote crumbles the motivations of those LibDem voters could have a bearing and similarly in Glasgow Central and Glasgow South where there was a significant LibDem vote.

If they switch to the SNP along with many Labour voters the nationalist victory looks assured, if however they switch to Labour to keep the SNP out, then a few hundred votes either way could be critical.

In Glasgow East, where the LibDems had their lowest percentage of the vote in the UK last time their candidate is realistic and his priorities are those of the party in Scotland.

Garry McLelland is the LibDem contesting the seat which is a two way fight between Labour MP Margaret Curran and Natalie McGarry of the SNP.

He knows he has no chance of winning and his energy can be put to better use elsewhere.

He said: "I am aware of the reality of the voting intentions but I have a responsibility to at least show an alternative.

"We just held our deposit last time. If I could do the same again, it would be OK.

"I will be going to help with other campaigns in other seats. I have been helping get Jo Swinson re-elected in East Dunbartonshire. It would be a real shame if she lost."

Mr McLelland, a policy and public affairs manage with the Humanist Society of Scotland thinks many voters in the city have a tough decision ahead.

He said: "I get a sense that people in Glasgow East are genuinely torn. They are not happy with Labour, feeling they don't represent them anymore but recognise voting SNP is continuing the march towards independence."

LibDems are no strangers to tactical voting and many of their MPs owe their seats to voters of other parties backing them to keep a more disliked rival out.

In England it has been Labour voting to keep Tories out in Scotland it is hoped the same will happen to prevent the SNP taking their seats.

In Glasgow however it will be the tactical choices of LibDems voting for another party that is critical.

Former party leader, Paddy Ashdown, now Lord Ashdown, is in charge of the LibDem election campaign.

He said tactical voting in this election is no more or less prevalent or important than at other times.

His comments don't lend to a recommendation that LibDems vote for the SNP.

He said: "The SNP record in government is extremely bad. There's not an ounce of liberalism in them look at armed policing and stop and search of children."

Of the Lib Dem seats, he said: If people in the 3rd and 4rth parties (i.e Labour and Tories) realise the right thing to do is keep Mr Salmond out they have to vote LibDem."

On tactical voting he said: "I hope people vote for what they believe in, that's my first recommendation.

"But I understand people will vote for tactical reasons, then they have a decision to make."

With the results expected to be close, that decision could be crucial in seats in Glasgow.

THE LibDems have claimed their five years in coalition with the Tories at Westminster has resulted in Scots being better off.

Willie Rennie told his Scottish Party Conference it has acted in the national interest and was responsible for cutting taxes for people at the lower end of the income scale.

He said the recovery was at risk from Labour and liberal values were being eroded by the SNP.

The party conference in Aberdeen over three days heard from all the senior Libdems.

Danny Alexander, Nick Clegg, Alistair Carmichael and Jo Swinson all addressed conference.

The message was stop the SNP taking the LibDem seats.

Mr Rennie defended the coalition decision, even though it is likely to cost the party votes and seats across the country.

He said: "We have brought fairness to Government. We have cut taxes for workers, increased pensions and expanded childcare.

"And we have delivered the economic plan too. Jobs are up, growth is back and wages are higher.

"The recovery wasn't automatic; we had to make it happen."

"Look around Europe, you will see plenty of examples of countries that have not made the choices, or achieved the recovery that we are seeing now.

"It was in the national interest."

He made his speech to rally the party activists to go out and be proud of the LibDems record and to put the party at in the centre between the two main UK parties.

He said: "There are forces in British politics today that want a return to the crashing see-saw economics of the past.

"The Tories are hell bent on some ideological drive to reduce the size of the state, cutting so far that our schools, hospitals and colleges are under real threat.

"Labour have not learnt the lessons of the last time they were in government. They want to borrow billions more even though debt levels are at a record high."

He added : "And the SNP, they are climbing on with Labour. They want to borrow even more than them."

He said despite the predictions of wipe out the LibDems could still win its seats in May

"But I can tell you that after the five years we've had.

"After putting country before party this would be our finest victory.

"I know how to win. And win we can. "