Who Can Offer Change? The Lib/Lab Debate Continues

A continuing Lib Dem surge has saw political parties in a constant battle over who can offer voters "change".

Nick Clegg today insisted only the Liberal Democrats can truly shake up Britain as he tussled with the Tories over the change agenda.

The Lib Dem leader launched a bitter attack on David Cameron after his vow that a Tory government would 'blow apart' the old political system.

While the Tories say only they can "guarantee change" - arguing a vote for the Lib Dems could lead to a hung parliament in which Gordon Brown remains PM.

In response to the extraordinary Liberal Democrat poll surge, the Conservative leader scrapped an election broadcast attacking Labour last night and instead delivered a personal message to voters.

He urged them to set aside any lack of enthusiasm for the Tories and give him a 'strong mandate', warning that a hung parliament threatens disaster for Britain.

But Mr Clegg said this morning: "Over the last few weeks, he [Cameron]has changed his policies, he has changed his ad agency and last night he changed his election broadcast, but that doesn't mean he can change Britain."

Five opinion polls have now confirmed that an extraordinary surge in Lib Dem support has put Britain on course for a hung parliament and left Labour languishing in last place.

Mr Clegg's X-Factor style success in last week's leaders TV debate appears to be hurting Labour more.

But the vagaries of Britain's first past-the-post system mean they could still be the largest party even if they come last, opening the door to a Lib-Lab coalition government.

Mr Clegg said: "This is more exciting and more unpredictable than any election I can remember".

(LB/BMcC)