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Lib Dem and Tory 'cracks appear' in coalition government Lib Dem and Tory 'cracks appear' in coalition government
(35 minutes later)
Senior Conservative and Lib Dem ministers have criticised each other amid suggestions that divisions in the coalition government are widening.Senior Conservative and Lib Dem ministers have criticised each other amid suggestions that divisions in the coalition government are widening.
PM David Cameron said the Liberal Democrats were "all over the place" on the subject of cutting the deficit.PM David Cameron said the Liberal Democrats were "all over the place" on the subject of cutting the deficit.
But, writing in The Daily Telegraph, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander implied the Tories were in the grip of "pre-election panic".But, writing in The Daily Telegraph, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander implied the Tories were in the grip of "pre-election panic".
BBC correspondent Ben Wright said fresh splits were appearing in the coalition.BBC correspondent Ben Wright said fresh splits were appearing in the coalition.
He said: "It seems the glue that bound the coalition together is quickly coming unstuck.He said: "It seems the glue that bound the coalition together is quickly coming unstuck.
"With polling day less than five months away, the two parties are now desperate to prove their differences to voters.""With polling day less than five months away, the two parties are now desperate to prove their differences to voters."
In an email to Tory MPs, Mr Cameron dismissed the level of influence the Liberal Democrats had in drawing up last week's Autumn Statement and insisted the measures were "distinctly" Conservative.In an email to Tory MPs, Mr Cameron dismissed the level of influence the Liberal Democrats had in drawing up last week's Autumn Statement and insisted the measures were "distinctly" Conservative.
The prime minister also said the Lib Dems would "prop up a failing Labour government" after the general election next year, which he believed would put "hopes, dreams, and livelihoods" of millions of Britons at stake.The prime minister also said the Lib Dems would "prop up a failing Labour government" after the general election next year, which he believed would put "hopes, dreams, and livelihoods" of millions of Britons at stake.
'Not economically credible' 'Unnecessary pain'
However, in his Telegraph article, Mr Alexander accused the Tories of getting "blown off course".However, in his Telegraph article, Mr Alexander accused the Tories of getting "blown off course".
He said: "A mix of unfunded tax promises, harsh spending plans, and pandering to UKIP may be born of pre-election panic, but it is not economically credible."He said: "A mix of unfunded tax promises, harsh spending plans, and pandering to UKIP may be born of pre-election panic, but it is not economically credible."
Mr Alexander also said that the Tories wanted to "inflict unnecessary pain" on the UK because they were "economically committed" to "shrinking the state ever further".Mr Alexander also said that the Tories wanted to "inflict unnecessary pain" on the UK because they were "economically committed" to "shrinking the state ever further".
Last week Mr Alexander signed off the Autumn Statement with Chancellor George Osborne, and both coalition parties have agreed to try to balance the books by 2018.Last week Mr Alexander signed off the Autumn Statement with Chancellor George Osborne, and both coalition parties have agreed to try to balance the books by 2018.
The prime minister's email comes after Mr Osborne claimed the Lib Dems would wreak "economic chaos" if they were left to pursue their own agenda.The prime minister's email comes after Mr Osborne claimed the Lib Dems would wreak "economic chaos" if they were left to pursue their own agenda.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg then hit back, accusing the Tories of "kidding" voters over the scale of cuts they would impose if they won next May.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg then hit back, accusing the Tories of "kidding" voters over the scale of cuts they would impose if they won next May.
The deputy prime minister was also recently accused of trying to distance himself from the Autumn Statement after failing to show up for the set-piece Commons event.The deputy prime minister was also recently accused of trying to distance himself from the Autumn Statement after failing to show up for the set-piece Commons event.
However he later insisted he fully supported the measures that had been announced.However he later insisted he fully supported the measures that had been announced.
"I just think the Conservatives are kidding themselves and seeking to kid British voters if they are claiming that it is possible to balance the books, deliver unfunded tax cuts, shrink the state and support public services in the way that everybody wants," he told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday."I just think the Conservatives are kidding themselves and seeking to kid British voters if they are claiming that it is possible to balance the books, deliver unfunded tax cuts, shrink the state and support public services in the way that everybody wants," he told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday.