Clegg: We can beat Labour in North

Jan 19 2009 by William Green, The Journal

THE polls may suggest he is struggling, but Nick Clegg has declared he can beat Labour in its own North East backyard.

“We can beat anyone actually in principle because I think the old rules, not only of the economy but of politics are breaking down,” said the Liberal Democrat leader in an exclusive interview with The Journal.

A chipper Mr Clegg declared the North East would be his key hunting ground at the next general election and predicted that regional minister Nick Brown could even succumb to a Lib Dem sweep.

Mr Clegg said success would depend on the Lib Dems being ahead of Labour and the Tories on the economy. And he blasted Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s record.

The blame for soaring debt levels could be “laid fair and square” at the door of Mr Brown who had handed a blank cheque to the banks, said Mr Clegg.

“Whilst no doubt a lot of heat and fury from Gordon Brown and David Cameron might catch a few headlines, I think over time a lot of people will recognise in Newcastle, the North East and elsewhere that we were actually the ones who predicted a lot of this recession.

“We have come up with the most imaginative responses, which represent real practical help to people.

“You have got three very clear choices in British politics. You have got a Government, which is saying we will give you some goodies now but you’ll all going to have to pay for it later. You have got the Conservatives who are very good at scoring points, but have got absolutely nothing to say which will be of any material help to families in Newcastle, Northumberland and the North East.

“And then you have got ourselves as actually the only party with a plan to deliver very steep tax cuts, income tax cuts, which would benefit millions of people on ordinary incomes paid for by closing the huge loopholes that the Government has still left open in the tax system, which only the wealthy and big businesses benefit from.

“Our plans would give £1,000 back for instance for someone on a £30,000 annual salary.”

The Lib Dem leader renewed suggestions that nationalised Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley could be used by the Government to directly loan to businesses if other banks failed to live up to promises to do so.

And he stressed the North East was “one of the most important areas” for the Lib Dems after “astonishing” local council gains in Northumberland and ongoing success in Newcastle.

But the big test would be the general election, when voters would ask if they wanted another Labour MP to represent them after “generations, if not forever” if local problems had not been solved.

“If they haven’t sorted that over 10 years why on earth would they do it now?

“I think it is time to give the Liberal Democrats a chance, particularly because we have proved ourselves as being so far-sighted on these big economic issues, I think it is time that a lot of people give us a chance to prove ourselves.”