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| Sir Menzies hopes for tax victory | Sir Menzies hopes for tax victory |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Sir Menzies Campbell has insisted his position would not be undermined if he loses a vote on tax at his first party conference as Liberal Democrat leader. | |
| He was speaking in a BBC interview ahead of the conference in Brighton. | |
| He wants to ditch the commitment to a 50p top rate on incomes over £150,000 in favour of "green" taxes but faces opposition from party members. | He wants to ditch the commitment to a 50p top rate on incomes over £150,000 in favour of "green" taxes but faces opposition from party members. |
| He also said his predecessor Charles Kennedy would be welcomed back to the party's front bench "when ready". | He also said his predecessor Charles Kennedy would be welcomed back to the party's front bench "when ready". |
| Speaking about the tax vote, Sir Menzies said: "I believe that if we are to fulfil the objective of substance and not symbolism the package as a whole should be adopted." | Speaking about the tax vote, Sir Menzies said: "I believe that if we are to fulfil the objective of substance and not symbolism the package as a whole should be adopted." |
| Sir Menzies said the conference would see "robust, full-blooded debates" and that Mr Kennedy, who resigned as party leader after it emerged he had a drink problem, could still make a "remarkable contribution". | Sir Menzies said the conference would see "robust, full-blooded debates" and that Mr Kennedy, who resigned as party leader after it emerged he had a drink problem, could still make a "remarkable contribution". |
| Mr Kennedy is due to make a speech on the platform at the conference. | |
| He has said that talk of him challenging Sir Menzies for the leadership is fanciful, but has also said "Who knows what the future holds?" when asked if he may yet become leader again. | He has said that talk of him challenging Sir Menzies for the leadership is fanciful, but has also said "Who knows what the future holds?" when asked if he may yet become leader again. |
| Sir Menzies Campbell is interviewed by Andrew Marr on Sunday AM on BBC One, from 0900 BST. | Sir Menzies Campbell is interviewed by Andrew Marr on Sunday AM on BBC One, from 0900 BST. |