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Clegg attacks Tory and Labour 'inefficiency' as Lib Dems launch campaign | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Nick Clegg has launched the Liberal Democrats' local election campaign by claiming Labour and the Conservatives waste money through "inefficiency and their own vanity projects". | |
The deputy prime minister argued that his party was the only one capable of spreading "the burden of austerity fairly" and helping families. | |
He urged Lib Dem activists to "work even harder" to ensure success. | |
Elections for 34 councils in England and one in Wales take place on 2 May. | |
There will also be two mayoral polls. | |
'Instincts' | |
In his speech at the Eden Project in Cornwall, Mr Clegg attacked Labour and the Lib Dems' partners in coalition government, the Conservatives, over their record of running councils. | |
He said that "when millions of families are feeling the pinch, they'll both squander taxpayers' money on waste, inefficiency and their own vanity projects". | |
"When savings need to be made, you just cannot rely on the Tories to make the fairest decisions. Their instincts drag them in the wrong direction." | |
Ed Miliband also launched Labour's campaign on Monday, saying he wanted councils to be allowed to prevent the opening of shops such as payday lenders and bookmakers. | |
Mr Clegg said: "Today we'll hear from Ed Miliband about why people should vote for his party... He won't say: 'Labour are sorry they crashed the economy.' And he won't present a serious and detailed plan to fix the mess they created. That much we know." | |
He added: "A vote for the Liberal Democrats, on the other hand, is a vote for a party which - wherever we're in power - does its best to spread the burden of austerity fairly, investing in jobs and help for hard-pressed families. Only the Liberal Democrats will build a stronger economy and a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life." | |
The deputy prime minister lauded his own party's efforts to increase the threshold at which people start paying income tax. | |
He also exhorted activists to campaign harder and demonstrate that the Lib Dems had a "national and local record" demonstrate to voters. | |
"Next month, in wards across the country, people will be confronted with the same choice," Mr Clegg said. "Despite all their stated differences, a vote for Labour or the Tories will be a vote for the same thing. | |
"A vote for the Liberal Democrats, on the other hand, is a vote for a party which - wherever we're in power - does its best to spread the burden of austerity fairly, investing in jobs and help for hard-pressed families." | "A vote for the Liberal Democrats, on the other hand, is a vote for a party which - wherever we're in power - does its best to spread the burden of austerity fairly, investing in jobs and help for hard-pressed families." |