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Anti-establishment Clegg rails against Labour and Tories

09/03/2008

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has launched a scathing attack on Labour and the Conservatives in his first conference speech as leader.

Mr Clegg accused the two main "establishment parties" of "vested interests" which prevent them conducting full reform of Britain's political system.

He said Gordon Brown's government had displaced "gutless, heartless, incompetent" characteristics and blasted David Cameron's Tories as engaging in "sham politics from a party bereft of belief".

Increasing disillusionment with the two main parties was showing long-term trends were with Britain's third party, Mr Clegg claimed.

"Someone's got to take on the vested interests. Someone's got to challenge the established order of things. And it's got to be us," he said.

"It's time for a party that isn't cowed by the system, or afraid to challenge it. The chance is there… so let's seize it," he concluded.