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Clegg bids to cool coalition talk Clegg: Lib Dems offer real change
(about 1 hour 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 has said a vote for his party at the coming general election is "a bold commitment to hope and opportunity".
He has come under intense pressure to say whether he would work with Labour or the Tories in a hung parliament. He told his party's spring conference that the election, widely expected on 6 May, was "a once in a generation opportunity for real change".
But he will tell his party's spring conference in Birmingham: "The 45 million voters are the kingmakers." Mr Clegg also said claims that voters would be wasting their time by choosing the Lib Dems were "nonsensical".
He will say the winning party, even if lacking a majority, would have "the moral authority ...to seek to govern". But he played down talk of a Lib Dem role in a coalition government.
The BBC's Mike Sergeant says Mr Clegg is playing down talk of a coalition in case it hampers his party's campaign. Mr Clegg used his speech to activists in Birmingham to focus on his plans to reform tax, education, the economy and 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," our correspondent said. He accused Labour of being the party of "many disasters" and said the government lacked the "courage and honesty" to take tough action to reduce the UK's huge fiscal deficit.
The party with the strongest mandate from voters will have the moral authority to be the first to seek to govern Nick Clegg, Lib Dem leader Lib Dems may hold 'power balance' Q&A: What is a hung parliament?The party with the strongest mandate from voters will have the moral authority to be the first to seek to govern Nick Clegg, Lib Dem leader Lib Dems may hold 'power balance' Q&A: What is a hung parliament?
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." His attacks on the Conservatives focused heavily on the role of party donor and deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft, who recently admitted being non-domiciled in the UK for tax purposes.
But, he will tell activists: "I am not the kingmaker. The 45 million voters of Britain are the kingmakers. Mr Clegg called the Tories "the world's first offshore political party".
"With these two old parties, it is a dismal choice between the party of the few and the party of no-one," he said.
"A choice between the wrong direction and backwards."
Mr Clegg said the Lib Dems were "the guarantor of good sense" who had set out "the most substantial and deliverable programme of deficit reduction in British politics".
'Not the kingmaker'
In recent weeks, the Lib Dem leader has come under intense pressure to say whether he would work with Labour or the Tories in the event of a hung parliament.
But he told his party's conference he was "not the kingmaker".
"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.
"This election is a time for voters to choose, not a time for politicians to play footsie with each other."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."
Cut 'sensibly' I cannot conceive of the circumstances where the Lib Dems could support the Conservatives in government Transport Secretary Lord Adonis
The BBC's political correspondent Mike Sergeant said Mr Clegg was playing down talk of a coalition in case it hampered his party's campaign.
"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 Lib Dems have listed their 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 Lib Dems have listed their 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.
Mike Sergeant said Lib Dem members would be encouraged to fight hard against their political opponents on two fronts.
And Mr Clegg's challenge was to keep all the options open for as long as possible, added our correspondent.
I cannot conceive of the circumstances where the Lib Dems could support the Conservatives in government Transport Secretary Lord Adonis
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".
Labour has said it is pleased the Lib Dems agree with its 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.
'Hopeless dilemma''Hopeless dilemma'
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that an alliance with the Tories would "destroy" the Lib Dems.Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that an alliance with the Tories would "destroy" the Lib Dems.
"I cannot conceive of the circumstances where the Lib Dems could support the Conservatives in government," he said. "I think it would destroy their own party. "I cannot conceive of the circumstances where the Lib Dems could support the Conservatives in government," he said.
"The issue they have to address is, are they basically on the centre-left in politics... or are they going to try to shift to the right because they sense that may be a short-term populist strategy, but which would betray their own principles and destroy their party?""The issue they have to address is, are they basically on the centre-left in politics... or are they going to try to shift to the right because they sense that may be a short-term populist strategy, but which would betray their own principles and destroy their party?"
I like Nick Clegg, but he's in a hopeless position Shadow business secretary Ken Clarke
Shadow business secretary Ken Clarke said the Tories would try to show voters "the futility of being a liberal party" and encourage Lib Dem supporters to choose the Conservatives instead.Shadow business secretary Ken Clarke said the Tories would try to show voters "the futility of being a liberal party" and encourage Lib Dem supporters to choose the Conservatives instead.
"I like the Liberals, I like Nick Clegg, but he's in a hopeless position," Mr Clarke said."I like the Liberals, I like Nick Clegg, but he's in a hopeless position," Mr Clarke said.
"Nick is a Conservative, his views are very like mine, Vince Cable is a social democrat... the party is all over the place."Nick is a Conservative, his views are very like mine, Vince Cable is a social democrat... the party is all over the place.
"I think they're in a hopeless dilemma.""I think they're in a hopeless dilemma."
On Saturday, Mr Clegg told the BBC his party "would say no" to any plans to slash public spending in the first year, and instead would reduce public spending "sensibly".
Labour has said it is pleased the Lib Dems agree with its 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.