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Clegg in call for fairer Britain | Clegg in call for fairer Britain |
(11 minutes later) | |
The Liberal Democrats are the only party which can make Britain fairer, leader Nick Clegg will tell supporters in his first full conference speech. | The Liberal Democrats are the only party which can make Britain fairer, leader Nick Clegg will tell supporters in his first full conference speech. |
He is setting out his vision for the future of the country, saying the government is discredited and the Conservatives full of empty promises. | He is setting out his vision for the future of the country, saying the government is discredited and the Conservatives full of empty promises. |
Outlining plans to help the economy, he will emphasise his party's pledge to cut taxes for low and middle earners. | Outlining plans to help the economy, he will emphasise his party's pledge to cut taxes for low and middle earners. |
But Labour said Mr Clegg was "out of touch" with ordinary people. | But Labour said Mr Clegg was "out of touch" with ordinary people. |
'Zombie government' | 'Zombie government' |
He was forced onto the defensive on the eve of his first major party conference speech when he mistakenly said that the weekly state pension was "about 30 quid", a third of its actual value. | He was forced onto the defensive on the eve of his first major party conference speech when he mistakenly said that the weekly state pension was "about 30 quid", a third of its actual value. |
Mr Clegg, who took over as leader in December, will make a pitch for both Labour and Conservative voters at the end of a week in which his party backed a significant change in direction over taxes. | Mr Clegg, who took over as leader in December, will make a pitch for both Labour and Conservative voters at the end of a week in which his party backed a significant change in direction over taxes. |
The truth is Lib Dem sums don't add up. They offer a menu without prices Angela Eagle, Labour | The truth is Lib Dem sums don't add up. They offer a menu without prices Angela Eagle, Labour |
He will say the government is "finished", and that discontent within Labour over the party's direction and Gordon Brown's leadership is growing. | He will say the government is "finished", and that discontent within Labour over the party's direction and Gordon Brown's leadership is growing. |
"Labour offers nothing," he will say. "They are so desperate to protect their own jobs, they can't be bothered to protect other people's." | "Labour offers nothing," he will say. "They are so desperate to protect their own jobs, they can't be bothered to protect other people's." |
"They are a zombie government." | "They are a zombie government." |
Mr Clegg will also turn his fire on David Cameron, characterising the Tories as "Blue Labour" and accusing them of being a "say everything, do nothing" party. | |
Social justice | Social justice |
The goal of offering "big" tax cuts for struggling families at the next election marks the Lib Dems out as the only party committed to social justice, he will say. | The goal of offering "big" tax cuts for struggling families at the next election marks the Lib Dems out as the only party committed to social justice, he will say. |
The Lib Dems have promised to reduce the overall tax burden for nine out of 10 families, describing their plan as the most "progressive and redistributive" ever put forward by a British party. | The Lib Dems have promised to reduce the overall tax burden for nine out of 10 families, describing their plan as the most "progressive and redistributive" ever put forward by a British party. |
"I will never support the Tory idea that you cut taxes for millionaires and the benefits somehow trickle down," he will say. | "I will never support the Tory idea that you cut taxes for millionaires and the benefits somehow trickle down," he will say. |
"That is not what struggling families need. They need their money back." | "That is not what struggling families need. They need their money back." |
Opposition parties have criticised the policy, to be partly funded by billions of pounds in efficiency savings in public spending, as unclear and unrealistic. | Opposition parties have criticised the policy, to be partly funded by billions of pounds in efficiency savings in public spending, as unclear and unrealistic. |
Treasury Minister Angela Eagle said: "Nick Clegg can't even say how much the state pension is worth. | Treasury Minister Angela Eagle said: "Nick Clegg can't even say how much the state pension is worth. |
"The truth is Lib Dem sums don't add up. They offer a menu without prices." | "The truth is Lib Dem sums don't add up. They offer a menu without prices." |
Electoral pressure | Electoral pressure |
The Lib Dems have campaigned at recent elections on tax-raising pledges. | The Lib Dems have campaigned at recent elections on tax-raising pledges. |
The shift in direction has been interpreted by many as a move to help the party fight the resurgent Conservatives in marginal seats in the south of England. | The shift in direction has been interpreted by many as a move to help the party fight the resurgent Conservatives in marginal seats in the south of England. |
Despite opposition from some MPs to the move, party members overwhelmingly backed the proposals earlier in the week. | Despite opposition from some MPs to the move, party members overwhelmingly backed the proposals earlier in the week. |
After Mr Clegg has finished speaking, the party will phone 250,000 people in marginal seats to get feedback on his key policy promises. | After Mr Clegg has finished speaking, the party will phone 250,000 people in marginal seats to get feedback on his key policy promises. |
The poll is based on techniques used by the Democratic Party in the United States. | The poll is based on techniques used by the Democratic Party in the United States. |