Nick Clegg Speech to Conference
September 24, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by Wrekin and Telford Liberal Democrats
Originally published by Wrekin and Telford Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrat Leader first paid tribute to the tenacity, bravery and extraordinary professionalism of our armed forces in Afghanistan. Their families had borne with incredible fortitude the separation, the fear, and the anguish of bereavement. We salute them. Sadly, after nearly 8 years, victory not only seems more distant than ever, failure seems inevitable unless we change course. If things continue on the present disastrous course, then sooner or later we may have to decide to withdraw our troops. We have one more chance, one only, to turn things around. He called on the international community to work together to try to resolve the many difficulties, both military and political, that exist in Afghanistan.
Nick went on to give reasons why he wanted to be Prime Minister - to change Britain for good. "I want to live in a country where prejudice, insularity and fear are conquered by the great British traditions of tolerance, pluralism and justice… where fine words on the environment are translated into real action. Where every child can grow up safe and secure, able to flourish, no matter their background, their income, or the colour of their skin… where rights, freedom and privacy are not the playthings of the government but safeguarded for everyone.
"I am immensely proud to lead a party that actually debates things, openly and democratically. Let's always remember: we are in this together. So let us not look back any longer. Let us look forward. From this point on, keep your eyes on our goal… Let today mark the beginning of real change in Britain.
"After 12 years of Labour government, people are hungry for change. But can David Cameron deliver real change? He talks about broken Britain but campaigns for tax breaks for the very rich. He says he cares about the environment but then teams up with climate change deniers in Europe. He claims he wants to clean up politics but won't tell you whether his biggest donor pays taxes in Britain. To be fair, the Conservatives do have one belief. That it's their turn to govern. But the blue-red, red-blue politics that got us into this mess cannot clear it up. The way we got here is not the way out. Britain needs a change of direction. The Conservatives want to inherit power; I want us to earn it.
"I chose the Liberal Democrats. Not because I thought it would be an easy route to power. I knew it would be hard. But because I wanted to fight for what I believed in, however hard, however long it took… People are turning to the Liberal Democrats. Because they see there's something different about us. It's our pioneering spirit. It was a Liberal, Gladstone, who helped develop the concept of universal human rights. It was a Liberal, Lloyd George, who introduced the world's first universal state pension. It was a Liberal, Beveridge, who invented the NHS…and today, ours is the party of Vince Cable, the first to see problems brewing in our economy, the first with a vision of how to take us to recovery.
"We are the only party that offers real change at the next election. Labour is dying on its feet. We are replacing them as the dominant force of progressive politics. We are the alternative to a hollow Conservative party that offers just an illusion of change. Make no mistake. There is only one party that will bring real change to Britain. The Liberal Democrats!"
(Read a full version of Nick Clegg's speech on the Liberal Democrat national website)
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats