PRESS RELEASE

 

18th December 2005

 

New Leader - Same Old Spin

 

 

Are we really to believe that after two weeks the Tories have executed a U-turn in almost every policy area? This just strains credibility.  The Conservatives including David Cameron voted with Tony Blair on Iraq.  Is he prepared to say that he was wrong to vote that way?

 

Does David Cameron now believe in the climate change levy, Has he given up on nuclear power, Has he done a u-turn already on the pledge he made in his acceptance speech to build more roads? 

 

Its all spin – they’ve taken the worst parts of new Labour.

  

Being a liberal is: 

• about taking the tough decisions required to tackle climate change – not running scared.

• about policies designed to tackle the unfairness at the heart of our tax system which means poor people pay proportionately more than the rich – not about making that situation worse. 

• about policies to tackle inequalities in our society – in our education system and in the NHS – not setting up an escape route for the wealthy. 

•  about standing up for international law and rebuilding Britain’s international reputation after the horror of Iraq – not voting with Labour, like David Cameron did, in what has proven to be the worst foreign policy mistake since Suez. 

 

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting, Stephanie Dearden said:-

 

If people really want to defeat Labour – vote Liberal Democrat – we are in second place in over 180 seats the majority of which are second to Labour.

 

At the general election, the Conservatives gained virtually no seats outside the south of England. They are a party of the shires.  My advice would be to vote for a truly British party represented in all regions and countries in the UK.

ENDS

 

  Stephanie Dearden

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Tooting

 

Notes to editors

 

Cameron claims that the Lib Dems and the Tories are on the same side on Iraq

 

Cameron claims Conservatives believe passionately in green politics – but there is no substance. 

 

Already Mr. Cameron has endorsed:

 

·        a policy which would allow the continuation of the hated 11+,

·        more road building,

·        a euro-sceptic policy which is appalling even those who dislike Europe in his own party –

 

Cameron speech says: If there was an election tomorrow, my Party would need to win a hundred and twenty six seats to win an overall majority.

Of those seats, twenty are held by the Liberal Democrats, with the Conservatives second in every one. And in all but four of the rest – that’s a hundred and three seats – the Lib Dem vote is larger than the Labour majority.

 

1. If you would like to arrange an interview with Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting Stephanie Dearden then please call 020-7771-2551 or 07985-649807 or 07754 583090
2. Official photographs here http://www.stephaniedearden.org/smd_mugs/index.htm