Kennedy: Lib Dems have ‘everything to play for’
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has said that only his party presents a “credible alternative” to Labour.
Speaking to journalists at the start of the party’s annual conference in Blackpool, Mr Kennedy insisted the Liberal Democrats were better placed than the Conservatives to take a share of power when Labour leaves office and said they had “everything to play for” over the next four years before the next election.
“I think we must be part of the whole story in British politics over these next four years if we are to achieve a change in government,” said Mr Kennedy.
“I don’t think it will come with a Conservative government, but I think there is everything to play for from a Liberal Democrat perspective,” he added.
But the Scotsman dismissed suggestions floated by Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable that the party might go into a coalition with the Conservatives if the next election produced a hung parliament.
The Liberal Democrat’s annual conference follows the party’s best showing at a general election in more than 80 years.
The nation’s third party now commands 62 seats in the Commons following May’s poll.
Earlier, Mr Kennedy, who has led the Liberal Democrats since 1999, denied press reports claiming he is planning to stand down after the next general election.
The Sunday Times today, citing senior party sources, had alleged that Mr Kennedy would resign after the election battle expected in 2009.
Mr Kennedy told BBC1’s Sunday AM show there was no truth “whatsoever” in the rumours.
The Liberal Democrat leader will hold a Q&A session during Monday’s conference session on Monday before delivering his keynote speech on Thursday.
He has indicated that he will use the speech to express concern over the government’s proposed new anti-terror laws.
Although the Lib Dems backed the thrust of the government’s counter-terror measures in the wake of the July 7th London terror atrocities in London, Mr Kennedy will tell delegates he is at odds with parts of home secretary Charles Clarke’s draft counter-terrorism bill.
The bill paves the way for extending the period a terror suspect can be held without charge from the current 14 days to three months.
Critics claim this is tantamount to internment without trial.
Delegates will also discuss the party’s stance toward clauses in the bill outlawing any statement that “glorifies, exalts or celebrates” terrorism and the banning of “acts preparatory to terrorism”.
