McCartney turns on Lib Dems
Ahead of the Hartlepool by-election, Labour Party Chairman Ian McCartney has launched a scathing attack on the Liberal Democrats.
Labour will be defending a majority of nearly 15,000 in Peter Mandelson’s old seat, but the Liberal Democrat’s believe they are snapping at Labour’s heels. Charles Kennedy flew up to the northern constituency directly after his speech for a week of hard campaigning.
With the general election widely anticipated for next spring, Thursday’s election – on the last day of the Labour conference – will be carefully studied by strategists of all parties.
During his opening speech at the Labour Party Conference yesterday, Mr McCartney personally attacked Charles Kennedy, calling on him to answer a list of ‘basic questions’ on Lib Dem key policies.
He demanded to know: “Charles, why do your Lib Dems want to scrap the New Deal which has given jobs to 1 million people? Why do your Lib Dems Want to scrap the Pension credit and cut the income of 3 million of our poorest pensioners. Why do your Lib Dems oppose increases in the minimum wage? Why are your Lib Dems plotting to abolish the NHS and replace it with private health Insurance?”
The Labour party chairman went on to tell delegates that the Liberal Democrat leader is not straight talking and that there are only two options to chose from at the next General Election.
“The real choice is between a third term Labour Government and a fifth term Thatcher government.” he declaimed.
He urged the party to have the confidence to “walk tall” if they are to win a historic Labour third term and said that Labour have to write a deliverable manifesto if it is to secure a generation of Labour government.
