04 March 2005
The Liberal Democrats are expecting to win frontbench seats from the Conservatives at the next general election.
Tim Razzall, who chairs the LibDem election campaign, predicted that the seats held by shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin and shadow home secretary David Davis would be won as Labour supporters switched their votes to the LibDems. The seats of shadow family secretary Theresa May and shadow education secretary Tim Collins were also claimed to be vulnerable.
Razzall said that at 20%–21% in the polls, the party was as happy as it could be. 'This election is the first genuine three-party contest since the days of the old [Liberal-SDP] Alliance,' he said. 'There is no ceiling to our ambition. We know we will end up with more votes and more seats.'
The peer was speaking ahead of the LibDem's spring conference in Harrogate on March 5–6.
As well as debates on housing, council tax and health, the conference will consider a new employment policy paper, which proposes to strengthen government's ability to settle industrial disputes.
Earlier this week, the party set out its 'Alternative Budget', which included commitments to a minimum basic pension of £105 per week and a stamp duty threshold of £150,000 to help first-time buyers.
LibDem leader Charles Kennedy tried to strike a moderate line on tax, saying differences between the main parties on taxes were minimal.
'The real issue will be one of principle and of priority. In principle, it is important that the tax burden does not fall disproportionately on the poor and vulnerable,' he said.
PFmar2005
