Liberal Democrats will win the next Election, says their leader Nick Clegg

Blackleaf

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Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats (one of the big three British political parties, alongside the Tories and Labour) has said that his party is poised to win the next General Election, either in 2009 or 2010 - even though his party currently trails the Tories and Labour in the polls.

Today, Clegg attacked the "Zombie" Labour government, and said that as Prime Minister he woud give tax cuts to 28 million people.

The Liberal Democrats were formed in 1988 when the Liberal Partys and the Social Democrats merged. The last time Britain has a Liberal Government was in 1915 under Herbert Asquith, but they ruled as a Coalition Government (with Conservatives, Labour, National Labour and National Liberal) from 1940-1945.

A hung parliament is a very likely outcome at the next election, which would allow the Lid-Dems to form a Coalition government.

'Zombie' Labour government is finished... and we're poised for power, Nick Clegg tells Liberal Democrat conference


By Daily Mail Reporter
17th September 2008
Daily Mail




Nick Clegg today branded Labour the 'zombie Government' and told Liberal Democrats they are heading into power.

He tore up his party's economic policy to fight the Tories, pledging tax cuts for 28 million people including Middle England.

He also made a brazen appeal to disillusioned Labour voters, claiming his party was the only one able to deliver social justice.




All smiles: Nick Clegg, who says he will become British Prime Minister at the next Election, and his pregnant wife Miriam Gonzalez Durantez walk to the Bournemouth International Centre ahead of his conference closing speech

Echoing former Liberal leader Lord Steel's famous words in 1981 - 'Go back to your constituencies and prepare for Government' - Mr Clegg ignited delegates' hopes that they will soon play a role running Britain.

'I can't tell you every step on the road for us as a party,' he said at the party's Bournemouth rally. 'But I can tell you where we're headed. Government.'

With a Cameron-like performance, wandering around the stage, he sought to shore up Lib-Dem defences against the surge in Tory support by offering tax cuts for people on middle incomes, turning his back on a bigger state and opening the door to more free market solutions for public services.

A less zealous pro-European policy was also touted.

But he also sought to woo millions of voters who had backed Labour in 1997.

Pledging tax cuts for the low paid, he trumpeted his plans as 'the most redistributive' ever in Britain, with the wealthy paying more tax and eye-poppingly higher levies for the super rich.




Mr Clegg (right) prepares for his speech with his treasury spokesman Vince Cable

Mr Clegg, 41, stressed that Britain now needs a government of 'airness' to protect millions from the 'firestorm ignited by reckless bankers and fuelled by complacent politicians.'

He is not putting a timescale on any Lib-Dem rise to power but his party could be coalition partner within 20 months.

Mr Clegg reserved his strongest attack for Mr Cameron but said: 'Labour is finished.

'They're the living dead, no heart, no mind, no soul. They are a zombie government.'

He accused his Tory rival of 'born-to-rule-conceit' and offering tax cuts for only the better off.

Father-of-two Mr Clegg also said he was looking forward to his third child arriving in February: 'Miriam and I can't wait to be parents again.'

dailymail.co.uk