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Labour in death throes says Clegg | Labour in death throes says Clegg |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Britain is "watching the death throes of the Labour Party", Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said. | Britain is "watching the death throes of the Labour Party", Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said. |
Speaking at the start of his party's annual conference, he added that Gordon Brown's government meant nothing to "the vast majority of British people". | Speaking at the start of his party's annual conference, he added that Gordon Brown's government meant nothing to "the vast majority of British people". |
The comments came after seven Labour MPs called for a leadership contest. Mr Clegg also called the Conservative Party "cowboys". | |
The conference, taking place in Bournemouth, lasts until Wednesday. | The conference, taking place in Bournemouth, lasts until Wednesday. |
'Arrogance' | 'Arrogance' |
Mr Clegg, who became leader in December last year, will be closely scrutinised by party supporters worried about a "squeeze" on support by an improved Conservative showing in the opinion polls. | Mr Clegg, who became leader in December last year, will be closely scrutinised by party supporters worried about a "squeeze" on support by an improved Conservative showing in the opinion polls. |
He also attacked the Tories at a Lib Dem rally, accusing leader David Cameron of "arrogance". | |
Mr Clegg added: "Here's a man who'll speak fondly of 'hardworking families' but has no actual plans to help them. | |
"A man who - with recession looming - puts millionaires first. A man who hopes that soundbites can fix the economy... | |
"If you want real solutions for Britain's economy are you really going to trust this bunch of Conservative cowboys?" | |
This will be seen as a retort to the Conservative leader's recent description of Mr Clegg as a "joke". | |
Of Labour, Mr Clegg said: "I do not think there is any way back for them. | |
"They no longer stand for anything that the vast majority of British people need or want". | "They no longer stand for anything that the vast majority of British people need or want". |
'People's bills' | 'People's bills' |
The Lib Dems were now "emerging as the only progressive party speaking up for people who want something different and something better", he added. | The Lib Dems were now "emerging as the only progressive party speaking up for people who want something different and something better", he added. |
Delegates in Bournemouth have voted to introduce "people's bills", where the six legislative proposals which receive the most petition signatures are guaranteed a debate in Parliament. | Delegates in Bournemouth have voted to introduce "people's bills", where the six legislative proposals which receive the most petition signatures are guaranteed a debate in Parliament. |
They also called for a constitutional convention "to review and improve the governance of the UK". | They also called for a constitutional convention "to review and improve the governance of the UK". |
The main theme of this year's conference is the party's plan to cut taxation for the poorest and its stated ambition to reduce the level of public spending by £20bn. | The main theme of this year's conference is the party's plan to cut taxation for the poorest and its stated ambition to reduce the level of public spending by £20bn. |
Other subjects up for debate include cutting crime, allowing more standing at football matches and how to respond to the effects of the credit crunch. | Other subjects up for debate include cutting crime, allowing more standing at football matches and how to respond to the effects of the credit crunch. |