Chris Huhne, the UK energy secretary, stands up to speak to the Liberal Democrat party conference this afternoon. But his audience stretches far beyond a convention centre in Liverpool. The energy industry will be watching, and here is what they want to hear:

Roger Salomone, energy adviser at EEF, the manufacturers association – Nuclear power

A strong reassurance that the coalition is going to push the role of nuclear power and build the right kind of business environment for that. If he demonstrated his commitment to nuclear in front of the Lib Dems, who are the most hostile, that would be a very strong signal.

NB – Salomone’s point about resistance from within the party is going to become clear today in a speech by Simon Hughes, the deputy leader, who will urge Huhne to oppose nuclear power, as my colleague Jim Pickard wites here.