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Welsh Lib Democrats: 'No lurch to the right' insists Nick Clegg | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
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. | |
His comments came as he addressed Welsh party members at their spring conference in Cardiff. | |
Mr Clegg also called for a "proper debate" on devolving more powers to the National Assembly. | |
He argued a "fairer society for Wales" meant "more power for Wales too". | |
His views on the devolution process come as the Silk Commission examines the issue in detail. | |
The UK coalition government's own submission to the commission found there was no need for "radical" changes. | |
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". | |
"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. | |
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. | |
"There will no lurch to the right by this government, not while I'm at the cabinet table," Mr Clegg said. | |
"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." | |
Party for all | |
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". | |
But he warned that, as a whole, the Liberal Democrats were "too male and too pale and that needs to change". | |
"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." |