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Nick Clegg tells Welsh Lib Dems he wants 'proper' devolution debate Welsh Lib Democrats: 'No lurch to the right' insists Nick Clegg
(about 4 hours later)
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will call for a "proper debate" about devolving more powers to Wales, at the Welsh Liberal Democrats conference. Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has insisted that the UK government would not "lurch to the right" in the wake of Lady Thatcher's death.
He is expected to tell party members that his commitment to further Welsh devolution "is as strong as ever". His comments came as he addressed Welsh party members at their spring conference in Cardiff.
The UK coalition government's own submission to a commission on assembly powers found there was no need for "radical" changes. Mr Clegg also called for a "proper debate" on devolving more powers to the National Assembly.
UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey will also address the Cardiff conference. He argued a "fairer society for Wales" meant "more power for Wales too".
Mr Clegg will tell the conference a "fairer society for Wales" means "more power for Wales too". His views on the devolution process come as the Silk Commission examines the issue in detail.
It comes as the Silk Commission inquiry on Welsh devolution is expected to report next spring on assembly powers. The UK coalition government's own submission to the commission found there was no need for "radical" changes.
The UK government is due to respond soon to the first phase of the commission's work, which recommended Welsh ministers should take some responsibility for income tax. But Mr Clegg told the Welsh party faithful at the two-day event that devolution was a basic tenet of his party and was "key to the sort of liberalism I believe in".
"Devolution has always been, and remains, a basic tenet of our party and key to the sort of liberalism I believe in," the deputy prime minister will tell the conference. "We make compromises daily in government, but be sure of one thing: our commitment to devolution, indeed my commitment to more powers for Wales, is as strong as it ever was," he said.
'Balancing the books' He also told the party that following the death of Baroness Thatcher, his party would stand firm in the coalition with the Conservative Party at Westminster.
"We make compromises daily in government, but be sure of one thing: our commitment to devolution, indeed my commitment to more powers for Wales, is as strong as it ever was." "There will no lurch to the right by this government, not while I'm at the cabinet table," Mr Clegg said.
Mr Clegg will argue rebuilding Britain's economy has proved "more challenging than anyone imagined" but the government would "not flinch on (cutting) the deficit". "Conservative backbenchers can huff and puff as much as they like, but the Liberal Democrats will keep this coalition government anchored firmly in the centre ground."
UK ministers, he will say, are cutting the gap between what the government spends on public services and the money it raises from taxes on a "slower timetable" and proceeding at a "sensible pace" compared with other countries around the world. Party for all
"Balancing the books is a judgement, not a science, and our plan has always allowed room for manoeuvre." He also praised the Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams as being a "fantastic role model for young women across Wales" and said the party had a "generation of inspirational Welsh women coming through the ranks".
Mr Clegg will accuse Labour leader Ed Miliband and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls of "retreating into the comfort of opposition". But he warned that, as a whole, the Liberal Democrats were "too male and too pale and that needs to change".
"The only plan Labour has is more of what got us into this mess in the first place - more spending, more borrowing and more debt," Mr Clegg will say. "We need more Liberal Democrat role models for black and Asian boys and girls, for disabled boys and girls, for young gay men and women too," he added.
Mr Clegg admitted rebuilding Britain's economy had proved "more challenging than anyone imagined" but said the government would "not flinch on (cutting) the deficit".
UK ministers, he insisted, were cutting the gap between what the government spends and the money it raises from taxes on a "slower timetable" and proceeding at a "sensible pace" compared with other countries around the world.
"Balancing the books is a judgement, not a science, and our plan has always allowed room for manoeuvre," he said.
Mr Clegg accused Labour leader Ed Miliband and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls of "retreating into the comfort of opposition".
"The only plan Labour has is more of what got us into this mess in the first place - more spending, more borrowing and more debt," claimed Mr Clegg.
"Only the Liberal Democrats can build a stronger economy and a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life.""Only the Liberal Democrats can build a stronger economy and a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life."
The Liberal Democrat leader also congratulated Cardiff City on their "spectacular return" to football's top flight "after decades in the lower divisions".
"Proof," he said, "that we English can never rest on our laurels."