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20/09/2010
Right Government For Right Now, Says Clegg
Nick Clegg will reassure the Liberal Democrats that the coalition will "put the country on a better path".
The Deputy Prime Minister will address the Lib Dems in his speech highlighting "this is the right government for right now".
He will also say the party would not have been taken seriously again, if he had not done a deal with the Tories but will stress the parties remain distinct, despite the coalition.
Defending reaching an agreement with the Tories after no party majority in May's general election, Mr Clegg is expected to say: "Some say we shouldn't have gone into government at a time when spending had to be cut. We should have let the Conservatives take the blame. Waited on the sidelines, ready to reap the political rewards.
"Maybe that's what people expected from a party that has been in opposition for 65 years.
"People have got used to us being outsiders, against every government that's come along. Maybe we got used to it ourselves. But the door to the change we want was opened, for the first time in most of our lifetimes."
Mr Clegg will also add: "The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives are and always will be separate parties, with distinct histories and different futures.
"But for this Parliament we work together to fix the problems we face and put the country on a better path. This is the right government for right now."
Lord Ashdown, former Lib Dem leader told BBC Radio 4's Today programme any doubts he had about the coalition "lasted about an hour" and spending cuts would be "fairer" because of the party's influence.
Charles Kennedy, Former Lib Dem leader told the BBC there was a "legitimate argument" to be had regarding the scope and speed of cuts aimed at reducing the £155bn budget deficit, due to be published on 20 October in the government's spending review.
Most Whitehall departments have been told to plan for savings of between 25% and 40%.
Labour states that the plans could hit the poor hardest, undermining the economic recovery and damaging front line services.
Mr Clegg's speech will reiterate the promise made by Danny Alexander, the Lib Dem Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to target rich tax-avoiders in an effort to reduce the deficit.
(BMcN)
The Deputy Prime Minister will address the Lib Dems in his speech highlighting "this is the right government for right now".
He will also say the party would not have been taken seriously again, if he had not done a deal with the Tories but will stress the parties remain distinct, despite the coalition.
Defending reaching an agreement with the Tories after no party majority in May's general election, Mr Clegg is expected to say: "Some say we shouldn't have gone into government at a time when spending had to be cut. We should have let the Conservatives take the blame. Waited on the sidelines, ready to reap the political rewards.
"Maybe that's what people expected from a party that has been in opposition for 65 years.
"People have got used to us being outsiders, against every government that's come along. Maybe we got used to it ourselves. But the door to the change we want was opened, for the first time in most of our lifetimes."
Mr Clegg will also add: "The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives are and always will be separate parties, with distinct histories and different futures.
"But for this Parliament we work together to fix the problems we face and put the country on a better path. This is the right government for right now."
Lord Ashdown, former Lib Dem leader told BBC Radio 4's Today programme any doubts he had about the coalition "lasted about an hour" and spending cuts would be "fairer" because of the party's influence.
Charles Kennedy, Former Lib Dem leader told the BBC there was a "legitimate argument" to be had regarding the scope and speed of cuts aimed at reducing the £155bn budget deficit, due to be published on 20 October in the government's spending review.
Most Whitehall departments have been told to plan for savings of between 25% and 40%.
Labour states that the plans could hit the poor hardest, undermining the economic recovery and damaging front line services.
Mr Clegg's speech will reiterate the promise made by Danny Alexander, the Lib Dem Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to target rich tax-avoiders in an effort to reduce the deficit.
(BMcN)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
