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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Clegg bids to cool coalition talk | Clegg bids to cool coalition talk |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg is due to deny he is the "kingmaker", amid speculation about his party's possible role in a coalition government. | Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg is due to deny he is the "kingmaker", amid speculation about his party's possible role in a coalition government. |
| He has come under intense pressure to say whether he would work with Labour or the Tories in a hung parliament. | He has come under intense pressure to say whether he would work with Labour or the Tories in a hung parliament. |
| But he will tell his party's spring conference in Birmingham: "The 45 million voters are the kingmakers." | But he will tell his party's spring conference in Birmingham: "The 45 million voters are the kingmakers." |
| He will say the winning party, even if lacking a majority, would have "the moral authority ...to seek to govern". | He will say the winning party, even if lacking a majority, would have "the moral authority ...to seek to govern". |
| The BBC's Mike Sergeant said Mr Clegg is playing down talk of a coalition in case it hampers his party's campaign. | The BBC's Mike Sergeant said Mr Clegg is playing down talk of a coalition in case it hampers his party's campaign. |
| At the close of the Liberal Democrats' three-day conference, Mr Clegg is expected to say: "Some days I read we're planning a deal with Labour, some days that we're planning a deal with the Conservatives, other days that we'll refuse to talk to anyone at all." | At the close of the Liberal Democrats' three-day conference, Mr Clegg is expected to say: "Some days I read we're planning a deal with Labour, some days that we're planning a deal with the Conservatives, other days that we'll refuse to talk to anyone at all." |
| The merest suggestion of a cosy pre-election arrangement with either party would be disastrous for Lib Dem activists in extremely close local campaigns The BBC's Mike Sergeant Lib Dems may hold 'power balance' Q&A: What is a hung parliament? | The merest suggestion of a cosy pre-election arrangement with either party would be disastrous for Lib Dem activists in extremely close local campaigns The BBC's Mike Sergeant Lib Dems may hold 'power balance' Q&A: What is a hung parliament? |
| But, he will tell activists: "This election is a time for voters to choose, not a time for politicians to play footsie with each other. | But, he will tell activists: "This election is a time for voters to choose, not a time for politicians to play footsie with each other. |
| "The party with the strongest mandate from voters will have the moral authority to be the first to seek to govern, and voters are entitled to know what Liberal Democrats will do - in whatever situation we find ourselves in." | "The party with the strongest mandate from voters will have the moral authority to be the first to seek to govern, and voters are entitled to know what Liberal Democrats will do - in whatever situation we find ourselves in." |
| The party has listed its broad demands for supporting a minority administration, which could occur if no single party wins enough seats to form an overall majority in Parliament. | The party has listed its broad demands for supporting a minority administration, which could occur if no single party wins enough seats to form an overall majority in Parliament. |
| The demands include the reform of the tax system, more spending on education for poorer children, a switch to a greener economy and political reform in Westminster. | The demands include the reform of the tax system, more spending on education for poorer children, a switch to a greener economy and political reform in Westminster. |
| However BBC political correspondent Mike Sergeant said that Mr Clegg is anxious not to ramp up the possibility of the Liberal Democrats as coalition partners in any future minority government. | However BBC political correspondent Mike Sergeant said that Mr Clegg is anxious not to ramp up the possibility of the Liberal Democrats as coalition partners in any future minority government. |
| 'Cosy arrangements' | 'Cosy arrangements' |
| "The merest suggestion of a cosy pre-election arrangement with either party would be disastrous for Lib Dem activists in extremely close local campaigns," our correspondent said. | "The merest suggestion of a cosy pre-election arrangement with either party would be disastrous for Lib Dem activists in extremely close local campaigns," our correspondent said. |
| Instead party members will be encouraged to fight hard against their political opponents on two fronts. | Instead party members will be encouraged to fight hard against their political opponents on two fronts. |
| And Mr Clegg's challenge is to keep all the options open for as long as possible, added our correspondent. | And Mr Clegg's challenge is to keep all the options open for as long as possible, added our correspondent. |
| On Saturday Mr Clegg told the BBC his party "would say no" to any plans to slash public spending in the first year. | |
| The Lib Dems, he said, would reduce public spending but "do it sensibly". | The Lib Dems, he said, would reduce public spending but "do it sensibly". |
| Labour has said it is pleased the Lib Dems agree with their view that "cutting support for the economy now would be a huge mistake". | Labour has said it is pleased the Lib Dems agree with their view that "cutting support for the economy now would be a huge mistake". |
| The Tories say Lib Dem policies and spending commitments are uncosted and would lead to a multi-billion pound deficit increase. | The Tories say Lib Dem policies and spending commitments are uncosted and would lead to a multi-billion pound deficit increase. |