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Sir Menzies attacks Gordon Brown Sir Menzies arrives at conference
(about 2 hours later)
Sir Menzies Campbell has criticised Gordon Brown over the government's "centralisation and authoritarianism". Sir Menzies Campbell has arrived for his first conference as Lib Dem leader - a week set to be dominated by debates on taxation and the environment.
The approach was unlikely to change if Mr Brown was prime minister, the Lib Dem leader told the Guardian. As party members gathered in Brighton, Sir Menzies indicated his predecessor Charles Kennedy would be welcomed back to the front bench when "ready".
He also attacked the chancellor's means-tested working families tax credit for its effect on poorer people. But he denied he would be upstaged by Mr Kennedy's address to delegates.
Shrugging off the centralist charge, Mr Brown said he had given the Bank of England independence "the minute" Labour had come to power in 1997. Meanwhile, Chancellor Gordon Brown has rejected Sir Menzies' criticism that he was geared towards centralisation.
The approach was unlikely to change if Mr Brown was prime minister, the Lib Dem leader said.
'Full-blooded debates'
Sir Menzies wants to ditch the commitment to a 50p top rate on incomes over £150,000 in favour of "green" taxes - but some Lib Dems will use the conference to try to keep the policy.
He said: "I believe that if we are to fulfil the objective of substance and not symbolism the package as a whole should be adopted.
We're willing to take the tough choices which are necessary. Sir Menzies Campbell
"We should not feel compelled to retain something that's become symbolic against the background of the redistributive nature of the package as a whole."
Sir Menzies said the conference would see "robust, full-blooded debates".
He said: "We're going to demonstrate in these debates that we're willing to take the tough choices which are necessary."
Mr Kennedy, who stepped down as leader when it was revealed he had a drink problem, could yet make a "remarkable contribution" to the party, Sir Menzies said.
"He is a man of immense ability and he is a man for whom the party has a great affection and it is an affection that I share... When he is ready I will be happy to welcome him back to the front bench."
'Devolving power''Devolving power'
In an interview with the Guardian, Sir Menzies was doubtful whether Mr Brown would be much different if, as expected, he takes over from Tony Blair.
He said: "There is no reason to suggest a Prime Minister Brown would depart from the centralisation and authoritarianism which we have seen."
He also said the chancellor's means-tested working families tax credit had hit poorer people.
However, rejecting the criticism, Gordon Brown said he had given the Bank of England independence "the minute" Labour had come to power.
Mr Brown, in Singapore for a G7 summit, added: "I gave up powers so the Bank of England can set interest rates, and I think that is the shape of some constitutional changes that perhaps the Liberals will come eventually to support.Mr Brown, in Singapore for a G7 summit, added: "I gave up powers so the Bank of England can set interest rates, and I think that is the shape of some constitutional changes that perhaps the Liberals will come eventually to support.
"And therefore I think the record of this government is devolving power wherever it's possible, and the record certainly of the Treasury is to devolve power"."And therefore I think the record of this government is devolving power wherever it's possible, and the record certainly of the Treasury is to devolve power".
Sir Menzies is due in Brighton for his party's conference, where he faces a battle over plans to shelve a commitment to a 50p top tax rate.
There is also speculation over who will get the best reception in Brighton, Sir Menzies at his first conference as leader or his predecessor Charles Kennedy.
Sir Menzies was doubtful whether Mr Brown would be much different to Tony Blair.
He said: "There is no reason to suggest a Prime Minister Brown would depart from the centralisation and authoritarianism which we have seen."
'Dynamite'
Sir Menzies said the chancellor had a "statist" approach, and added: "I wonder whether the prime minister, left to his own devices, might not have taken a different one."Sir Menzies said the chancellor had a "statist" approach, and added: "I wonder whether the prime minister, left to his own devices, might not have taken a different one."
Commenting on the working families tax credit, he said: "That is dynamite. That is wrecking their lives.Commenting on the working families tax credit, he said: "That is dynamite. That is wrecking their lives.
"How many hundred days is it since the chancellor himself answered any questions about it? He must take responsibility.""How many hundred days is it since the chancellor himself answered any questions about it? He must take responsibility."
Sir Menzies said he was "immensely fond" of Mr Kennedy.
"When he's ready to come back to the frontbench I will happily welcome him," he said.
Sir Menzies wants to ditch the commitment to a 50p top rate on incomes over £150,000 in favour of "green" taxes - but some Lib Dems will use the conference to try to keep the policy.