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Clegg 'will not back early cuts' Clegg 'will not back early cuts'
(about 2 hours later)
The Lib Dems would not support a government which tried to make major spending cuts in the next financial year, leader Nick Clegg has said.The Lib Dems would not support a government which tried to make major spending cuts in the next financial year, leader Nick Clegg has said.
Slashing spending so early in the recovery would be "economic masochism", Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today.Slashing spending so early in the recovery would be "economic masochism", Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today.
But he repeated his assertion that, in the event of a hung parliament, the party with the "stronger mandate" had a "moral right to seek to govern".But he repeated his assertion that, in the event of a hung parliament, the party with the "stronger mandate" had a "moral right to seek to govern".
Treasury spokesman Vince Cable is to address the party's spring conference.Treasury spokesman Vince Cable is to address the party's spring conference.
Mr Cable will tell delegates in Birmingham that his party was "right about the financial crisis" and had a "clear vision for the future of the British economy".Mr Cable will tell delegates in Birmingham that his party was "right about the financial crisis" and had a "clear vision for the future of the British economy".
'Too fragile''Too fragile'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron have argued repeatedly about the level and timing of public spending cuts required to deal with record government debt.Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron have argued repeatedly about the level and timing of public spending cuts required to deal with record government debt.
The Tories have insisted that efforts to begin reducing the deficit must start immediately, while Labour wants to wait until the recovery is secure.The Tories have insisted that efforts to begin reducing the deficit must start immediately, while Labour wants to wait until the recovery is secure.
Mr Clegg has found himself facing questions about what his party - the UK's third biggest - will do in the event of a hung parliament after the general election - widely expected to be held on 6 May.Mr Clegg has found himself facing questions about what his party - the UK's third biggest - will do in the event of a hung parliament after the general election - widely expected to be held on 6 May.
He was asked on Today whether his party would support a minority Conservative or Labour government in the event of a hung parliament.He was asked on Today whether his party would support a minority Conservative or Labour government in the event of a hung parliament.
We have a better plan than anybody else to fill the black hole that Gordon Brown has created Nick CleggLib Dem leader Q&A: What is a hung parliament?We have a better plan than anybody else to fill the black hole that Gordon Brown has created Nick CleggLib Dem leader Q&A: What is a hung parliament?
He said his party had identified £15bn worth of reductions in public spending to help reduce the deficit.He said his party had identified £15bn worth of reductions in public spending to help reduce the deficit.
But he said cutting too early would risk "pulling out the carpet from under the feet" of the British economy, which he said was still "too fragile".But he said cutting too early would risk "pulling out the carpet from under the feet" of the British economy, which he said was still "too fragile".
He added: "We think that merrily slashing now is an act of economic masochism.He added: "We think that merrily slashing now is an act of economic masochism.
"If anyone had to rely on our support, and we were involved in government, of course we would say no.""If anyone had to rely on our support, and we were involved in government, of course we would say no."
His party, he said, would urge ministers to "do it sensibly, do what myself and Vince Cable and others have been arguing for some time now, which is explain to the British people - and indeed to the financial markets - that we have a better plan than anybody else to fill the black hole that Gordon Brown has created, but do it at a time when it is economically sustainable."His party, he said, would urge ministers to "do it sensibly, do what myself and Vince Cable and others have been arguing for some time now, which is explain to the British people - and indeed to the financial markets - that we have a better plan than anybody else to fill the black hole that Gordon Brown has created, but do it at a time when it is economically sustainable."
Mr Clegg repeated what he said were the Lib Dems' bottom-line demands for supporting any minority administration: reforming of the tax system, more spending on education for poorer children, a switch to a greener economy and political reform in Westminster.Mr Clegg repeated what he said were the Lib Dems' bottom-line demands for supporting any minority administration: reforming of the tax system, more spending on education for poorer children, a switch to a greener economy and political reform in Westminster.
Mr Clegg will make his keynote speech at the conference on Sunday.Mr Clegg will make his keynote speech at the conference on Sunday.
He has been joined in Birmingham by former Tory MEP Edward McMillan-Scott, who was unveiled as the latest recruit to the Lib Dems.He has been joined in Birmingham by former Tory MEP Edward McMillan-Scott, who was unveiled as the latest recruit to the Lib Dems.
Mr McMillan-Scott, a former leader of Conservative MEPs in the European Parliament, was a strong critic of David Cameron's decision to break away from the centre-right European People's Party in Europe.Mr McMillan-Scott, a former leader of Conservative MEPs in the European Parliament, was a strong critic of David Cameron's decision to break away from the centre-right European People's Party in Europe.
BBC political correspondent Mike Sergeant in Birmingham said with opinion polls so close, much of the talk in the conference's sidelines was about the role that the Lib Dems might play in a hung parliament.
Danny Alexander, Mr Clegg's chief of staff, told activists they were "poised to make gains across the land" in the election.
Mr Alexander has been writing the party's election manifesto, which he said would be "short, direct and to the point".
"We have stripped away everything that is not essential because the country cannot afford it," he said.
"And we have set out in detail - more directly than any other party - how we will tackle the crisis in our nation's finances."
On Friday, the party announced their campaign slogan as: "Change that works for you. Building a fairer Britain" - combining the themes of Labour and the Conservatives' own messages.On Friday, the party announced their campaign slogan as: "Change that works for you. Building a fairer Britain" - combining the themes of Labour and the Conservatives' own messages.
Labour's election slogan is "a future fair for all" while the Tories have said 2010 will be a "year for change".Labour's election slogan is "a future fair for all" while the Tories have said 2010 will be a "year for change".