MY PROFILE SHOP JOBS PROPERTY CLASSIFIEDS From Times Online April 26, 2010
Cameron in naked bid to woo Lib Dem voters
(Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)
David Cameron
Philippe Naughton Recommend? (13) David Cameron tried to tempt away potential Lib Dem voters today, insisting that only a progressive Tory government could bring “real change” for Britain.
Ten days from the general election, with opinion polls suggesting that a hung Parliament is now the most likely outcome, the Conservative leader insisted that his party still aimed to win a clear majority.
But while stressing that he supported the current first-past-the-post electoral system, he refused to rule out electoral reform as part of a powersharing deal with the Liberal Democrats.
“I support the electoral system. I think it is a decisive way of changing our government,” Mr Cameron said at a campaign event in Westminster. “I do not want the electoral system changed.”
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Mr Cameron was speaking after the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, riding high after strong performances in the first two televised leaders’ debates, described proportional representation as an “absolute pre-condition” for the renewal of Britain.
Mr Clegg has warned that he would not let Gordon Brown “squat” in Number 10 if Labour trails in the popular vote next Thursday, but most observers think Mr Clegg and his party colleagues would prefer to do a deal with Labour - which is already wooing him - than with the Tories.
Mr Cameron warned that electoral reform, rather than helping to clean up politics and make it more transparent, would lead to a situation where politicians ruled by “haggling and scheming”.
“This is the great con of PR,” he said. “It doesn’t put power in the hands of the people, it puts power in the hands of politicians.”
He also dismissed suggestions that he could hold a referendum on electoral reform. “We are not proposing a referendum on PR because we do not support PR,” he said.
In the meantime, Mr Cameron clearly understands that he must stake out his position in the centre ground if wants to secure a majority.
“How can we achieve real change in this country? How can we make a clean break from the past? What we’re saying today is there is only one answer to these questions, and that is a new, strong Conservative government,” he said.
He said the Tories were bringing forward radical policies on the environment, such as allowing local communities more scope to build parks, and pledging to plant a tree for every child born in England.
Mr Cameron also stressed the Conservatives’ opposition to Labour’s proposals for extending detention without charge for suspected terrorists.
“I want to speak directly to the people who have idealism and progressive ideals hardwired into their DNA, everyone who is desperate for real change,” Mr Cameron said, borrowing a soundbite from the Lib Dem manifesto launch.
“Whether you’ve been a Lib Dem voter or a Labour voter or a Green voter - if you care about the environment, if you want action to improve your quality of life, if you care about civil liberties, if you care about people power, if you want a clean break from the past - vote Conservative.”
At an earlier press conference, in Edinburgh, Mr Clegg did not rule out a deal with either Labour or Conservatives if May 6 produces an indecisive result, arguing that the key issue would be whether other parties are willing to sign up to the Lib Dems’ four priorities, including PR.
He reignited speculation that he may be willing to form a pact with Labour if Gordon Brown is removed as leader, by naming Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, as someone who apparently shares his views.
The Lib Dem leader rejected the “dusty convention” that the Prime Minister should be given first chance to form a Government, even if his party has come third in terms of votes, saying that the opportunity should first be given to the party with most seats and votes.
The Tories have warned that voting for Lib Dems could leave Britain “stuck” with Mr Brown after the election. But Labour’s campaign chief, Lord Mandelson, yesterday sought to turn round the Tory attack by claiming that Mr Clegg had shown his preference to side with Conservatives in a coalition and warning that “voters who flirt with Nick Clegg are likely to end up married to David Cameron”.
Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, this morning warned the Lib Dem leader not to assume he will be the kingmaker following the election.
Addressing the prospect that Labour could come third in terms of votes but hold the most seats at Westminster, Mr Burnham told Sky News: “We obviously will work with what the country decides. Nick Clegg has had a good campaign in many ways, but he sounded yesterday like he was beginning to believe his own hype and that he was the man who was going to sort it all out.
“Let’s just wait and see what the country says. It is not votes cast, it is seats in the House of Commons that will determine what happens, and people will have to deal with the situation as it arises.”
Mr Clegg today underlined his call for “fundamental change” in Britain’s politics, economy, public services and taxation, adding: “If the Tories or anybody else were to suddenly announce that they agree with these changes, then no-one would be more delighted than me.
“What I care about is not the label on the politician, but the changes we are seeking to deliver for the benefit of the British people.”
He added: “I think electoral reform is a first step which any government of whatever composition will need to introduce to start restoring public trust in the system. I don’t think after this election it will ever be possible to put the genie back in the bottle. Electoral reform is an absolute pre-condition for renewal in this country.”
Mr Brown, meanwhile, said it was “arrogant” for politicians to discuss the deals they might be able to strike after the election before the voters have even had their say.
In a BBC interview to be transmitted on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said: “I do find it strange that politicians, other than me, are spending their time speculating about what happens after the election. I think they might be better putting their attention into putting the policies to the people before the election...
“If it’s a clear result we’ll accept it, if it’s a different result then we’ve got to deal with it, but don’t presume what the people are going to vote before they vote... because that would be arrogant.”
Mr Brown said he believed voters would make up their minds “probably at the last minute” because they are weighing up proposals for change with proposals for economic stability, jobs and public services.
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