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Lib Dems launch English campaign 'Reject Labour,' say Lib Dems
(30 minutes later)
The Liberal Democrats are launching their English local elections campaign, with leader Sir Menzies Campbell claiming Labour is "authoritarian". England's local elections provide an "opportunity to reject New Labour and its mimics", Sir Menzies Campbell said as he launched the Lib Dems' campaign.
He will say there are "no areas" of the country in which the party cannot compete with its rivals. He said there were "no no-go areas" of the country in which the party cannot compete with its rivals.
Sir Menzies is expected to focus on the record Lib Dem councils have had in cutting crime. Sir Menzies focused on the record Lib Dem councils have had in cutting crime and on environmental policies.
Labour and the Conservatives are also expected to make law and order a central issue of the campaign.Labour and the Conservatives are also expected to make law and order a central issue of the campaign.
'Soundbites' 'Disaster'
Elections take place across English 312 local authorities on 3 May, the same day that polls are held for the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament.Elections take place across English 312 local authorities on 3 May, the same day that polls are held for the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament.
Sir Menzies will say Mr Blair has led "the most centralising and authoritarian government of the modern era" and that the Tories have taken on "the soundbites, the spin". The Liberal Democrats are a national party of local government Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leader
He will point to the record of Lib Dem councils in all parts of the UK in dealing with crime and climate change, as well as giving power back to local people. Sir Menzies, opening the Lib Dem campaign, said it would be a "disaster" if New Labour remained in power.
Sir Menzies will say: "Liberal Democrats are not just present on councils in the north and south, east and west, and Scotland and Wales; we are leading them too. "We need a government that responds to the public's needs, not to focus group findings."
He pointed to the record of Lib Dem councils in all parts of the UK in dealing with crime and climate change, as well as giving power back to local people.
Sir Menzies said: "Liberal Democrats are not just present on councils in the north and south, east and west, and Scotland and Wales; we are leading them too.
"From the urban north, where the Conservatives are nowhere to be seen, to the rural south, where Labour is all but invisible, there are no areas where we cannot fight."From the urban north, where the Conservatives are nowhere to be seen, to the rural south, where Labour is all but invisible, there are no areas where we cannot fight.
"The Liberal Democrats are a national party of local government.""The Liberal Democrats are a national party of local government."
Sir Menzies is to visit Woking, in Surrey, to meet a youth theatre group which works with disadvantaged young adults.Sir Menzies is to visit Woking, in Surrey, to meet a youth theatre group which works with disadvantaged young adults.
Labour is also launching its campaign on Tuesday, saying it has given councils more powers to cut crime and anti-social behaviour.Labour is also launching its campaign on Tuesday, saying it has given councils more powers to cut crime and anti-social behaviour.
Meanwhile, the Tories will call for more local control of policing.Meanwhile, the Tories will call for more local control of policing.