Lib Dems remind Scots of Howard’s past
The Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy MP has said Michael Howard would take Tory party on a “long march towards the margins of British politics.”
Speaking to the Scottish Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in Dunfermline yesterday, Mr Kennedy said the choice of Mr Howard did not signify progress for Conservatives but would take the Tories “back to the future.”
Mr Kennedy’s scathing attack came after Iain Duncan Smith was forced to resign his leadership this week after a no confidence vote went against him.
Mr Kennedy reminded Scots that Mr Howard backed the disastrous poll tax, which was pioneered in Scotland.
“Changing the leader won’t solve the Conservative Party’s problems. The issue remains not about the individual who happens to be leading the Conservative Party – but whether the party is capable of being led at all.
“This is a party that dare not trust its own members with a contested election. If they cannot even trust their own members, then the country will not trust them. And in Michael Howard it will simply be a case of back to the future.
“Their policies simply don’t add up. The Conservative say they’ll cut taxes and make big improvements in public services at the same time. It can’t be done.
“Their policies are not those of a credible government. They aren’t even the policies of a credible opposition. So long as they pursue them, the Conservatives will continue their long march towards the margins of British politics.”
