This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/5351274.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sir Menzies attacks Gordon Brown Sir Menzies attacks Gordon Brown
(about 9 hours later)
Sir Menzies Campbell has criticised Gordon Brown over the government's "centralisation and authoritarianism".Sir Menzies Campbell has criticised Gordon Brown over the government's "centralisation and authoritarianism".
The approach was unlikely to change if Mr Brown was prime minister, the Lib Dem leader told the Guardian.The approach was unlikely to change if Mr Brown was prime minister, the Lib Dem leader told the Guardian.
He also attacked the chancellor's means-tested working families tax credit for its effect on poorer people.He also attacked the chancellor's means-tested working families tax credit for its effect on poorer people.
Shrugging off the centralist charge, Mr Brown said he had given the Bank of England independence "the minute" Labour had come to power in 1997.
'Devolving power'
Mr Brown, in Singapore for a G7 summit, added: "I gave up powers so the Bank of England can set interest rates, and I think that is the shape of some constitutional changes that perhaps the Liberals will come eventually to support.
"And therefore I think the record of this government is devolving power wherever it's possible, and the record certainly of the Treasury is to devolve power".
Sir Menzies is due in Brighton for his party's conference, where he faces a battle over plans to shelve a commitment to a 50p top tax rate.Sir Menzies is due in Brighton for his party's conference, where he faces a battle over plans to shelve a commitment to a 50p top tax rate.
There is also speculation over who will get the best reception in Brighton, Sir Menzies at his first conference as leader or his predecessor Charles Kennedy.There is also speculation over who will get the best reception in Brighton, Sir Menzies at his first conference as leader or his predecessor Charles Kennedy.
'Wrecking lives'
Sir Menzies was doubtful whether Mr Brown would be much different to Tony Blair.Sir Menzies was doubtful whether Mr Brown would be much different to Tony Blair.
He said: "There is no reason to suggest a Prime Minister Brown would depart from the centralisation and authoritarianism which we have seen."He said: "There is no reason to suggest a Prime Minister Brown would depart from the centralisation and authoritarianism which we have seen."
'Dynamite'
Sir Menzies said the chancellor had a "statist" approach, and added: "I wonder whether the prime minister, left to his own devices, might not have taken a different one."Sir Menzies said the chancellor had a "statist" approach, and added: "I wonder whether the prime minister, left to his own devices, might not have taken a different one."
Commenting on the working families tax credit, he said: "That is dynamite. That is wrecking their lives.Commenting on the working families tax credit, he said: "That is dynamite. That is wrecking their lives.
"How many hundred days is it since the chancellor himself answered any questions about it? He must take responsibility.""How many hundred days is it since the chancellor himself answered any questions about it? He must take responsibility."
Sir Menzies said he was "immensely fond" of Mr Kennedy.Sir Menzies said he was "immensely fond" of Mr Kennedy.
"When he's ready to come back to the frontbench I will happily welcome him," he said."When he's ready to come back to the frontbench I will happily welcome him," he said.
Sir Menzies wants to ditch the commitment to a 50p top rate on incomes over £150,000 in favour of "green" taxes - but some Lib Dems will use the conference to try to keep the policy.Sir Menzies wants to ditch the commitment to a 50p top rate on incomes over £150,000 in favour of "green" taxes - but some Lib Dems will use the conference to try to keep the policy.