One of the striking features of the opening rally at Liberal Democrat conference was how it was figures from the left of the party who attacked Labour most vigorously. Simon Hughes, the deputy leader, scolded those who think that governing with Labour would be easy; pointing out that the parties are at odds on nuclear power, Trident, civil liberties and a whole host of other issues. While the party’s president Tim Farron demanded that Labour apologise for the expensive failure of the NHS PFI projects, the Iraq war and a whole host of other issues.
Nick Clegg himself was on fairly confident form. He began with a couple of gags about his unlikely chart success. He reserved his most withering fire for Labour, saying ‘no wonder Ed Miliband gets so excited when he gets a text from Vince, it is the only good advice he gets.’
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