Sedgemore: 'Give Blair a bloody nose'

Tony Blair has played down the defection of a former Labour MP to the Liberal Democrats, but Charles Kennedy has said it is a "pivotal" moment.

Brian Sedgemore announced his defection to the Liberal Democrats, citing the "stomach turning lies" of Tony Blair's government.

The veteran Labour MP, who is standing down at this election after 22 years in parliament, has long been a government critic over anti-terror laws, foundation hospitals, top-up fees and the war in Iraq.

Speaking at a Lib Dem press conference, the former Hackney South and Shoreditch MP said it was time for those on the centre and left of British politics to give Blair a "bloody nose".

"I urge everyone from the centre and left of British politics to give Blair a bloody nose at the general election and vote for the Liberal Democrats," Sedgemore said.

Kennedy welcomed the defection, telling Labour supporters they could vote Lib Dem without allowing the Tories in 'by the back door'.

'His choice'

The prime minister said Sedgemore's decision was "his choice".

And Blair added that the former MP was someone that most people "have never heard of".

Michael Howard joked that the Conservatives had never expected to gain Sedgemore's backing.

"I am very realistic about the things we can and can't hope for in this election," said the Tory leader.

"I do not think that Brian Sedgemore was ever very high on our list of target converts.

"The fact that he has chosen to go to the Liberal Democrats is something we can accept with a fair degree of equanimity."

Defection

Sedgemore said his defection had been prompted by growing disagreements with Labour over a range of issues, highlighting the "deeply illiberal" security measures passed by the government.

"I urge everyone from the centre and left in British politics to give Blair a bloody nose at the election and to vote for the Liberal Democrats in recognition of the fact that the tawdry New Labour project is dead," he added.

And he said that disillusionment with Labour would have a big impact on May 5.

"The number of abstentions will be colossal, and who could blame the electorate," said Sedgemore.

"The public are surely right to hold politics and politicians in ill repute."

Lib Dem welcome

The Lib Dem leader denied the decision meant his party was now on the left wing of British politics.

"What we're finding in Maidenhead, Dorset West, in Guildford, and other previous or current Conservative seats, is that a party that is in favour of fair taxation devoted to social priorities... there are people who in days gone by have voted Labour and/or Conservative who are attracted to that," said Kennedy.

He also rejected Labour warnings that voting Liberal Democrat would mean a Conservative government being returned.

"We are now entering the last, crucial phase of this general election campaign," said Kennedy.

"The Conservatives cannot win this election. They certainly don't deserve to form the next government.

"People who want to vote against Tony Blair can and should vote Liberal Democrat. 

"Let's have no more scare stories from Labour high command about a vote for the Liberal Democrats letting the Tories in.

"A vote for the Liberal Democrats will get more Liberal Democrats in."

Labour reaction

Asked about the defection at Labour's morning press conference, Blair sought to pay down Sedgemore's significance.

"If he wants to vote Lib Dem, he won't get a Lib Dem government," the prime minister said.

"That's up to him, it's his choice, but I'll tell you my choice.

"My choice is to keep the investment going into our schools and the NHS, with a strong economy underpinning it, that gives real opportunity to people in this country.

"And I think that's the most important thing going on in this election."

Blair also attacked the focus on "personality politics", saying it was turning off voters.

"When we're talking about things like taking forward the chances for our kids in schools, people are passionately interested in that.

"What they're not interested in is a decision by someone they've never heard of who isn't even a candidate in this election."

The defection was also condemned by former Labour leader Lord Kinnock.

"What I am most concerned about is the feelings that will be engendered amongst his colleagues of three or four weeks ago from the parliamentary Labour Party fighting marginal seats," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"For them, his statement will appear to be a lance right through the spine."