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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Sir Menzies arrives at conference | Sir Menzies arrives at conference |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Sir Menzies Campbell has arrived for his first conference as Lib Dem leader - a week set to feature major debates on taxation and the environment. | |
| As party members gathered in Brighton, Sir Menzies indicated his predecessor Charles Kennedy would be welcomed back to the front bench when "ready". | As party members gathered in Brighton, Sir Menzies indicated his predecessor Charles Kennedy would be welcomed back to the front bench when "ready". |
| But he denied he would be upstaged by Mr Kennedy's address to delegates. | But he denied he would be upstaged by Mr Kennedy's address to delegates. |
| Meanwhile, Chancellor Gordon Brown has rejected Sir Menzies' criticism that he was geared towards centralisation. | Meanwhile, Chancellor Gordon Brown has rejected Sir Menzies' criticism that he was geared towards centralisation. |
| The approach was unlikely to change if Mr Brown was prime minister, the Lib Dem leader said. | The approach was unlikely to change if Mr Brown was prime minister, the Lib Dem leader said. |
| 'Full-blooded debates' | 'Full-blooded debates' |
| 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. |
| He said: "I believe that if we are to fulfil the objective of substance and not symbolism the package as a whole should be adopted. | He said: "I believe that if we are to fulfil the objective of substance and not symbolism the package as a whole should be adopted. |
| We're willing to take the tough choices which are necessary. Sir Menzies Campbell | We're willing to take the tough choices which are necessary. Sir Menzies Campbell |
| "We should not feel compelled to retain something that's become symbolic against the background of the redistributive nature of the package as a whole." | "We should not feel compelled to retain something that's become symbolic against the background of the redistributive nature of the package as a whole." |
| Sir Menzies said the conference would see "robust, full-blooded debates". | Sir Menzies said the conference would see "robust, full-blooded debates". |
| He said: "We're going to demonstrate in these debates that we're willing to take the tough choices which are necessary." | He said: "We're going to demonstrate in these debates that we're willing to take the tough choices which are necessary." |
| Mr Kennedy, who stepped down as leader when it was revealed he had a drink problem, could yet make a "remarkable contribution" to the party, Sir Menzies said. | Mr Kennedy, who stepped down as leader when it was revealed he had a drink problem, could yet make a "remarkable contribution" to the party, Sir Menzies said. |
| "He is a man of immense ability and he is a man for whom the party has a great affection and it is an affection that I share... When he is ready I will be happy to welcome him back to the front bench." | "He is a man of immense ability and he is a man for whom the party has a great affection and it is an affection that I share... When he is ready I will be happy to welcome him back to the front bench." |
| 'Devolving power' | 'Devolving power' |
| In an interview with the Guardian, Sir Menzies was doubtful whether Mr Brown would be much different if, as expected, he takes over from Tony Blair. | In an interview with the Guardian, Sir Menzies was doubtful whether Mr Brown would be much different if, as expected, he takes over from 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." |
| He also said the chancellor's means-tested working families tax credit had hit poorer people. | He also said the chancellor's means-tested working families tax credit had hit poorer people. |
| However, rejecting the criticism, Gordon Brown said he had given the Bank of England independence "the minute" Labour had come to power. | However, rejecting the criticism, Gordon Brown said he had given the Bank of England independence "the minute" Labour had come to 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. | 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". | "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 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." |