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Clegg promises 'momentous' year Clegg pledging to fight ID cards
(about 6 hours later)
New Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has used his New Year message to promise his party a "momentous" 2008. The new Lib Dem leader has pledged to campaign "tirelessly" against "expensive, invasive" ID cards in 2008.
He urged party members to take the "unparalleled opportunity" to win over millions more voters and to break Britain's "stale" two-party system. Nick Clegg said the recent data loss "scandals" had created a lack of public confidence in the government's ability to look after personal information.
Mr Clegg, who succeeded Sir Menzies Campbell earlier this month, also pledged to campaign "tirelessly" against "expensive, invasive" ID cards. In a New Year message to his party, he said: "So let 2008 be the year we bring down the identity cards scheme."
He attacked Tory policy which, he said, blocked opportunity. He also urged party members to take the "unparalleled opportunity" to break Britain's "stale" two-party system.
Mr Clegg, who succeeded Sir Menzies Campbell earlier this month, attacked Tory policy which, he said, blocked opportunity.
We must reach beyond the stale two-party system to the millions of people who share our liberal values and change Britain for the better Nick CleggLib Dem leader Brown's New Year messageCameron's messageWe must reach beyond the stale two-party system to the millions of people who share our liberal values and change Britain for the better Nick CleggLib Dem leader Brown's New Year messageCameron's message
Mr Clegg, an ex-journalist and former MEP, is the third Lib Dem leader in three years to deliver the party's New Year message.Mr Clegg, an ex-journalist and former MEP, is the third Lib Dem leader in three years to deliver the party's New Year message.
He said he had the leadership skills that would enable the party to challenge the dominance of Labour and the Conservatives by tapping into Britain's liberal beliefs.He said he had the leadership skills that would enable the party to challenge the dominance of Labour and the Conservatives by tapping into Britain's liberal beliefs.
"We have before us an unparalleled opportunity," he said. "We must reach beyond the stale two-party system to the millions of people who share our liberal values and change Britain for the better."We have before us an unparalleled opportunity," he said. "We must reach beyond the stale two-party system to the millions of people who share our liberal values and change Britain for the better.
"Let us show what that means in the local elections that face us this spring.""Let us show what that means in the local elections that face us this spring."
Power to familiesPower to families
He said he wanted to put British families back in control of their everyday lives, especially on issues such as flexible working, ID cards or TV advertising.He said he wanted to put British families back in control of their everyday lives, especially on issues such as flexible working, ID cards or TV advertising.
"Giving power and responsibility to families - of every shape and size, of every background - is the only way to make sure everyone has a fair chance in life," he said."Giving power and responsibility to families - of every shape and size, of every background - is the only way to make sure everyone has a fair chance in life," he said.
He said he wanted spending on pupils from poor backgrounds equal to that in private schools and he would also cut taxes for low-income families if he came to power.He said he wanted spending on pupils from poor backgrounds equal to that in private schools and he would also cut taxes for low-income families if he came to power.
Attacking Tory leader David Cameron's attempts to attract Lib Dem supporters, Mr Clegg said the Conservatives did not really want equality of opportunity.Attacking Tory leader David Cameron's attempts to attract Lib Dem supporters, Mr Clegg said the Conservatives did not really want equality of opportunity.
"They talk about social justice, but want to return to a Victorian-style voluntary system."They talk about social justice, but want to return to a Victorian-style voluntary system.
"They talk about families, but only want to help married couples. They talk about tax cuts, but don't say where they'll find the money.""They talk about families, but only want to help married couples. They talk about tax cuts, but don't say where they'll find the money."
Data loss
Mr Clegg went on to attack what he called the "expensive, invasive and unnecessary identity cards scheme".
"The child benefit and learner drivers' data loss scandals mean there is a looming crisis of public confidence in the government's capacity to look after their personal information," he said.
"So let 2008 be the year we bring down the identity cards scheme."
Charles Kennedy quit as Lib Dem leader in January 2006 after a frontbench rebellion having admitted he had a drink problem.Charles Kennedy quit as Lib Dem leader in January 2006 after a frontbench rebellion having admitted he had a drink problem.
Sir Menzies resigned in October, blaming an age-obsessed media.Sir Menzies resigned in October, blaming an age-obsessed media.