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Lib Dem plans 'must be credible' Clegg's cuts message wins backing
(41 minutes later)
The Lib Dems will not make any election promises which are not affordable, the man responsible for putting together their manifesto has said. Lib Dem members have given the green light to leader Nick Clegg to campaign at the next election on a platform of spending cuts.
Lib Dem policies must be "economically credible" as well as bold, MP Danny Alexander told the party's conference. They backed a policy document, a blueprint for its manifesto, that party leaders said would be "credible" and not contain any unaffordable pledges.
Lib Dem members are set to give the green light to Nick Clegg to campaign on a platform of spending cuts. But Mr Clegg's recent focus on the need for cuts was criticised by several MPs.
But pensions spokesman Steve Webb warned Mr Clegg that the party must offer a more "positive" message. Pensions spokesman Steve Webb warned Mr Clegg that the party must offer a more "positive" message.
Mr Clegg's aides say the party has "grown up" by facing the need to cut public spending. By approving the document, which contains broad principles rather than specific pledges, Mr Clegg's aides said the party had "grown up" by facing the need to cut public spending.
'Doom and gloom'
But Mr Webb said talk of cuts could "alienate" voters at the election and warned against introducing means testing on benefits, something the leadership has floated as an idea.But Mr Webb said talk of cuts could "alienate" voters at the election and warned against introducing means testing on benefits, something the leadership has floated as an idea.
"I think we have overdone the despair," Mr Webb said. "Doom and gloom does not inspire and motivate people. "I think we have overdone the despair," Mr Webb said. "Doom and gloom does not inspire and motivate people. People want it straight but they also want hope."
"People want it straight but they also want hope."
Affordability
Lib Dem members are debating the party's 'Fresh Start for Britain' document - a blueprint for what will be included in the party's election manifesto.
Mr Alexander, Nick Clegg's chief of staff, said the document set out the party's priorities for building a sustainable economic recovery, making society fairer and cleaning up politics.
We must not make any firm commitment to the British people for the next Parliament unless we are certain it can be paid for Danny Alexander MPWe must not make any firm commitment to the British people for the next Parliament unless we are certain it can be paid for Danny Alexander MP
Mr Clegg's comments that "savage" cuts in some budgets may be needed to protect funding in priority areas has caused unease in sections of the party.
The man responsible for putting together their manifesto told members that the party would not make any election promises which are not affordable.
Lib Dem policies must be "economically credible" as well as bold, Danny Alexander - Mr Clegg's chief of staff - said.
Mr Alexander said the Fresh Start for Britain document set out the party's priorities for building a sustainable economic recovery, making society fairer and cleaning up politics.
Firmly held principles
But he warned members that the UK's debt crisis and the need to cut spending meant that not all "long-cherished" principles could be delivered.But he warned members that the UK's debt crisis and the need to cut spending meant that not all "long-cherished" principles could be delivered.
While the manifesto would be "politically bold and socially radical", it also had to be "economically credible", he said.While the manifesto would be "politically bold and socially radical", it also had to be "economically credible", he said.
"We must not make any firm commitment to the British people for the next Parliament unless we are certain it can be paid for," he said."We must not make any firm commitment to the British people for the next Parliament unless we are certain it can be paid for," he said.
Mr Alexander stressed no final decisions had been taken on key issues like public sector pay and pensions but said the party must be mindful of whether "firmly held" principles such as scrapping tuition fees and free care for the elderly were affordable in the immediate future.Mr Alexander stressed no final decisions had been taken on key issues like public sector pay and pensions but said the party must be mindful of whether "firmly held" principles such as scrapping tuition fees and free care for the elderly were affordable in the immediate future.
The debate comes against a backdrop of anger among grassroots supporters - and senior figures such as Charles Kennedy - over suggestions the tuition fees pledge could be dropped and comments by Nick Clegg that "savage cuts" in spending may be needed. The debate comes amid opposition among grassroots supporters - and senior figures such as Charles Kennedy - to suggestions the tuition fees pledge could be dropped and Mr Clegg's "savage cuts" comments.
Martin Horwood, MP for Cheltenham, said the party should make a "stronger and clearer" commitment to scrapping tuition fees rather than putting it on hold.Martin Horwood, MP for Cheltenham, said the party should make a "stronger and clearer" commitment to scrapping tuition fees rather than putting it on hold.
The party is expected to back the Fresh Start document, which contains broad principles rather than specific pledges.
'Growing-up''Growing-up'
Mr Clegg's aides said that by persuading the party to sign up to the principle of spending cuts he will have forced them to "grow up and join the general mood of austerity". Evan Harris, of the Federal Policy Committee, said his group would still have the final say over what went in the manifesto and he expected the tuition fees pledge to remain intact.
But Evan Harris, of the Federal Policy Committee, said his group would still have the final say over what went in the manifesto and he expected the tuition fees pledge to remain intact. He told members that while Mr Clegg was a "really good" leader, "great" Lib Dem leaders recognised that decisions about policies ultimately rested with the party.
He told members that while Mr Clegg was a "good" leader, "great" Lib Dem leaders recognised that decisions over policies ultimately rested with the party. There has been growing unrest over the party's new policy to tax homes worth more than £1m, with senior MPs expressing anger over the plan and how it was announced on Monday.
His remarks come amid growing unrest over the party's new policy to tax homes worth more than £1m, where senior MPs expressing anger over the plan and how it was announced on Monday.
While the party recognised the need for some spending cuts, Mr Harris said: "We do that with a heavy heart, with care and caution, with no enthusiasm and as a last resort."While the party recognised the need for some spending cuts, Mr Harris said: "We do that with a heavy heart, with care and caution, with no enthusiasm and as a last resort."
The debate comes as a poll or BBC Newsnight suggests a third of voters have never heard of Mr Clegg. A poll for BBC Newsnight suggests a third of voters have never heard of Mr Clegg.
When asked what they thought of Mr Clegg, 36% said they had a favourable opinion, 28% said the opposite and 36% said they did not know who he was.When asked what they thought of Mr Clegg, 36% said they had a favourable opinion, 28% said the opposite and 36% said they did not know who he was.
Mr Clegg also received lukewarm support among those who voted Lib Dem at the 2005 general election.Mr Clegg also received lukewarm support among those who voted Lib Dem at the 2005 general election.
Just one in three believed he would make the best prime minister out of the main party leaders - compared to two-fifths who backed Tory leader David Cameron.Just one in three believed he would make the best prime minister out of the main party leaders - compared to two-fifths who backed Tory leader David Cameron.
Orb interviewed 1,056 adults from across the UK between September 11 and 14.Orb interviewed 1,056 adults from across the UK between September 11 and 14.