Clegg Tells Lib Dems: Take Fight To Tories - Sky News

3:09pm UK, Saturday April 16, 2011

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has urged his party to "take the fight" to the Conservatives in next month's local elections.

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The Deputy Prime Minister has been rallying supporters as his personal ratings threaten to damage the Lib Dems in the May 5 vote.

Speaking in his Sheffield consituency, Mr Clegg attacked cuts made by both Tory and Labour councils to libraries and Sure Start children's centres across the country.

He said: "If you value these services, my message to you is very clear: Lib-Dems are with you.

"Lib Dem councillors value these services also, which is why we are not closing a single Sure Start centre."

He went on to tell supporters that "difficult decisions" are what the Lib Dems "are used to".

"Our record shows that we can make those hard choices and still deliver better, fairer services for communities across the country.

Working in the national interest does not mean we agree on everything and doesn't mean we shouldn't take the fight to the Tories in the local elections.

Nick Clegg

"That is why, as we make tough and sometimes controversial decisions in national government, we are still able to deliver for those who need the help most."

He concentrated his attacks on Labour - accusing them of putting politics before people by slashing local authority jobs and services.

"When the leaders of the Labour Party in Westminster put political opportunism above all else, it can be no surprise to see Labour councils doing exactly the same.

"How else can you explain why Labour-run councils are slashing services and jobs when Lib Dem councils wrestling with the same budget cuts are able to keep pain to a minimum?"

Mr Clegg tried to calm party fears over the impact of the coalition and heightened tensions over the Westminster deal.

A number of big issues have torn him [Clegg] between party and the coalition. Perhaps the most controversial and damaging was Mr Clegg's backing for the government's plans to increase tuition fees having previously signed a pledge to oppose any rise.

Sky correspondent David Crabtree

"Working in the national interest does not mean we agree on everything and doesn't mean we shouldn't take the fight to the Tories in the local elections.

"When the Conservatives have local priorities which are not ours we should say so and when the Conservatives make mistakes locally we should say so."

Meanwhile Labour leader Ed Miliband, who has been speaking to voters in Newcastle, accused Mr Clegg of betraying his promises on the economy and on fairness.

"We are going to work with every fibre of our being to win this election and make sure that we build a platform to win back the trust of people.

"Then we want to send that message to the Conservative-led Government - that they're taking this country in the wrong direction and betraying young people, fairness and social justice."