Lib Dems set tests for Brown

Sir Menzies Campbell has set "five tests for Gordon Brown" to show that he can "embrace liberal democracy".

Speaking at the party's spring conference in Harrogate on Sunday, the Liberal Democrat leader said the chancellor had to demonstrate a change of direction from Tony Blair when he takes over as prime minister in order to regain the trust of the British people.

He said Brown must defend civil liberties, tackle climate change effectively, reduce inequalities, devolve power and divorce Britain's foreign policy from that of the United States.

The comments are being seen as the basis of any coalition deal between Labour and the Lib Dems in the event of a hung parliament after the next election.

"I am not content to lead a party whose sole purpose is opposition," he argued.

Significantly, electoral reform was not included as one of the tests, with a senior official confirming it was "not a deal maker or a deal breaker" in any coalition negotiations.

Sir Menzies slammed Blair's record in Number 10 as that of "the prime minister who promised so much, but who has delivered so little".

"And now we are faced with the prospect of Gordon Brown as prime minister," he added.

"This chancellor of the exchequer has had more control over the direction of government policy than any chancellor in living memory.

"This man, who has written the cheques since 1997, has had unparalleled influence within Whitehall.

"Why on earth should we believe that Britain will be better governed if he moves from Number 11 Downing Street to Number 10?

"Why should we believe that more of the same is what Britain needs?"

Tests

Outlining his five tests he said "this country needs a fresh direction – a liberal and democratic direction".

"First, end Labour’s authoritarian attack on civil liberties," he said. "Identity cards will not stop terrorism. They won’t stop illegal immigration. They won’t stop fraud. And they won’t stop crime.

"Don't spend billions of pounds on an expensive, ineffective, and unworkable identity card scheme. Spend the money on our police and security services instead.

"Second, grasp the challenge posed by climate change. The environmental efforts in the chancellor's budgets have been risible. Make the green tax switch so that we tax pollution more and earnings less.

"Third, break open the poverty trap. How can it be fair that over two and a half million pensioners live in poverty?

"How can it be fair that over one and a half million families are on waiting lists for social housing?

"And I want to ask Gordon Brown how can it be fair that in 21st century Britain six out 10 children in Glasgow – the city where I was born – live in poverty?

"Give pensioners a proper income without the humiliation of the means test. Give families the opportunity for decent housing. Give our children a proper chance in life. End the dependency culture. Give people a hand up, not a hand out.

"And my fourth test, trust the people. Since 1997 Labour has accumulated power, when it ought to have dispersed it. Take localism seriously and free local communities from the shackles of Whitehall.

"Scrap the unfair council tax which penalises pensioners and poorer families and hamstrings local communities.

"And fifth, Britain's foreign policy should not be set in Washington. What do we know about Iraq? I'll tell you what we know.

"The president made the decisions, the prime minister argued the case, the chancellor signed the cheques and the Tories voted it through."

"The British-American relationship needs to be rebalanced. And sooner rather than later."

Iran

Sir Menzies said Brown could pass one test immediately by ruling out UK support for any attack on Iran

"There are ominous signs that some in the United States might consider military action against Iran," he warned

"But strikes against Iran would buttress the regime, destabilise the region and put British forces in Iraq at risk.

"So, Mr Brown, announce now that Britain will not support and will not play any part in an attack on Iran.

"And while you are at it, repudiate the prime minister's desperate efforts to lock us into the United States plan for a 'son of star wars' missile defence system."

The Lib Dem leader said the tests would show whether Brown was capable of taking Britain in the right direction.

"These are the five tests for Mr Brown if he is going to make the change of direction that Britain needs," he concluded.

"And if he meets these five tests he will have changed direction.

"He will have changed direction and embraced liberal democracy."

And he added that the David Cameron could not make that change.

"Are the Conservatives up to this same challenge?" he asked. "Of course not.

"You can't bring about a change of direction for Britain when you’re determined to emulate Tony Blair.

"And you are no liberal when you plan to abolish Britain's human rights laws."