Charles Kennedy

Liberal Democrats | Ross Skye & Lochaber

Kennedy: “If David Cameron actually meant what he was saying, perhaps he’s the one who should be joining the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives should be looking for a new leader”

In response to David Cameron’s speech encouraging Liberal Democrats to defect to the Conservatives, Charles Kennedy said:

“I’m delighted David Cameron is acknowledging that my party under my leadership was right all along about such key issues such as Iraq and the environment.

“Is he really saying that his party - which supported the Iraq war - was wrong? He says he wants his party to be greener, yet avoids any specifics. Is he really saying that his party is prepared to sign up to the climate change levy? Is he really saying he will oppose building more civil nuclear power stations? Has he already done a u-turn on his pledge of two weeks ago (in his acceptance speech) to build more roads?

“The one thing he is undoubtedly correct about in his speech is that an ever increasing number of people in this country want Liberal Democrat values and policies. In the new era of three party politics, the way to get them is to vote for the Liberal Democrats.

“If David Cameron actually meant what he was saying, perhaps he’s the one who should be joining the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives should be looking for a new leader.

“But this has the whiff of spin over substance - and given the timing - of opportunism.”