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Paddy Ashdown calls on Lib Dems to make being in government 'a habit' Paddy Ashdown calls on Lib Dems to make being in government 'a habit'
(7 months later)
The Liberal Democrats' former leader Paddy Ashdown has called on his party to win a second term in office.The Liberal Democrats' former leader Paddy Ashdown has called on his party to win a second term in office.
Lord Ashdown, who is in charge of the party's election strategy, told the Brighton spring conference he wanted being in government to become a habit rather than a blip.Lord Ashdown, who is in charge of the party's election strategy, told the Brighton spring conference he wanted being in government to become a habit rather than a blip.
In his speech on Saturday, Ashdown said the Lib Dems' victory in the Eastleigh byelection showed how strong the party was at grassroots level.In his speech on Saturday, Ashdown said the Lib Dems' victory in the Eastleigh byelection showed how strong the party was at grassroots level.
He said: "You know, I'm sure that you, like me, have often told children and grandchildren that it's not the winning that matters, it's the taking part. Well, let me let you into a little secret. That's bollocks.He said: "You know, I'm sure that you, like me, have often told children and grandchildren that it's not the winning that matters, it's the taking part. Well, let me let you into a little secret. That's bollocks.
"I don't want being in government to be a blip for the Liberal Democrats. I want it to become a habit. Liberals waited a hundred years for May 2010. And I dreamt every hour of my leadership of our party, that one day we would have the opportunity to be where we are now, in government, making a difference.""I don't want being in government to be a blip for the Liberal Democrats. I want it to become a habit. Liberals waited a hundred years for May 2010. And I dreamt every hour of my leadership of our party, that one day we would have the opportunity to be where we are now, in government, making a difference."
Ashdown admitted that the task now may be tougher than when he was leader and the party sharply increased its number of MPs.Ashdown admitted that the task now may be tougher than when he was leader and the party sharply increased its number of MPs.
"In some ways what's ahead is more difficult than it was then; with the legacy of Labour's economic disaster to overcome, with Tory heartlessness to fight, and tough decisions to take in government," he said."In some ways what's ahead is more difficult than it was then; with the legacy of Labour's economic disaster to overcome, with Tory heartlessness to fight, and tough decisions to take in government," he said.
"But in some ways it's easier, too. Now we have a message which is clear. A record in government to be proud of. And an outstanding team of ministers who easily outshine anything the other parties can offer.""But in some ways it's easier, too. Now we have a message which is clear. A record in government to be proud of. And an outstanding team of ministers who easily outshine anything the other parties can offer."
The speech also made a reference to the disgraced former cabinet minister Chris Huhne, with Ashdown telling delegates that when he first stood for parliament in Yeovil in the 1970s, the Liberal leader at the time, Jeremy Thorpe, was facing trial at the Old Bailey.The speech also made a reference to the disgraced former cabinet minister Chris Huhne, with Ashdown telling delegates that when he first stood for parliament in Yeovil in the 1970s, the Liberal leader at the time, Jeremy Thorpe, was facing trial at the Old Bailey.
In a reference to Huhne, who is due to be sentenced on Monday, Ashdown joked: "You think you've got it hard now, forget it."In a reference to Huhne, who is due to be sentenced on Monday, Ashdown joked: "You think you've got it hard now, forget it."
Nick Clegg also praised Huhne as an "effective" and "outstanding" politician.Nick Clegg also praised Huhne as an "effective" and "outstanding" politician.
Speaking at a fringe event, the deputy prime minister said Huhne, who faces jail along with his ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, on Monday for swapping speeding points, had been "an outstanding local constituency MP" and "an extremely powerful thinker and indeed a very effective secretary of state".Speaking at a fringe event, the deputy prime minister said Huhne, who faces jail along with his ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, on Monday for swapping speeding points, had been "an outstanding local constituency MP" and "an extremely powerful thinker and indeed a very effective secretary of state".
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