This morning Nick Clegg delivered a speech asking the public how they want the Government to redress the balance between the citizen and the state. He said:

This morning I want to talk about freedom.

For too long new laws and regulations have taken away people’s freedoms, interfered in everyday life, and made it difficult for businesses to get by. The state has crept further and further into people’s homes, the places they work, their private lives. That intrusion is wrong; it’s illiberal; it’s disempowering and it’s going to change.

This government is putting freedom under the spotlight in a way the previous government never did. We want the British people have their say on where the state should step in, and where it should butt out. We are asking people for ideas on restoring hard won liberties that have been lost… On repealing unnecessary laws that have no place on the statute book… And on stripping away the excessive regulation that stops businesses from innovating. Read more »

Today Nick Clegg Leader of the Liberal Democrats gave his first official speech as Deputy Prime Minister on constitutional reform and the ‘New Politics’.

Speaking at his first major speech as Deputy Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said: “I have spent my whole political life fighting to open up politics. So let me make one thing very clear: this government is going to be unlike any other.

“This government is going to transform our politics so the state has far less control over you, and you have far more control over the state.
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Liberal Democrat Special Conference in Birmingham today overwhelmingly approved the party’s Coalition Agreement with the Conservative Party.

Speaking after the vote, Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said: “It is five days since I accepted the position of Deputy Prime Minister.

“Just five days, and we now know there will be no ID cards, no third runway at Heathrow, no more fingerprinting in schools without parents’ consent, no more child detention.
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Nick Clegg MP, Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister in the new government last night welcomed a change in government that will bring fairer taxes, a fair start in life for every child, green growth, reformed banking and a new open politics to rebuild public trust.

He said, “Tonight the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party and the Federal Executive of the Liberal Democrat party have overwhelmingly accepted my recommendation that we should now enter into a coalition government with the Conservative Party.”

“Before I say anything more about that coalition government I would like to express my thanks and admiration for Gordon Brown. He has been a towering figure in British politics for well over a decade. And the manner in which he has acted over the last few days has demonstrated immense dignity, grace and a profound sense of his public duty.

“We are now going to form a new government More importantly than anything else, we are going to form a new kind of government; I hope this is the start of a new kind of politics I have always believed in. Diverse, plural, where politicians with different points of view find a way to work together to provide the good government for the sake of the whole country deserves.

“That was what we were asked to do by the people of Britain in the General Election last Thursday and that is what we will deliver.

“I want to thank David Cameron for the very open, constructive and workmanlike way in which we have come together to make this agreement on how we can come together in this coalition government. We are obviously politicians from different parties. I believe we are now united in seeking to meet the immense challenges that now face the country and to deliver a fairer, better Britain.

“Of course there will be problems along the way; of course there will be glitches. But I will always do my best to prove that new politics isn’t just possible – it is also better.

“I’d like to say something directly to the nearly seven million people who supported the Liberal Democrats in the General Election last week. I am now acutely aware that I carry your hopes and aspirations into this coalition agreement.

“I am sure you have many questions, maybe many doubts. But I can assure you I would not have entered into this agreement unless I was genuinely convinced it was a unique opportunity to deliver the changes you and I believe in.

• Fair taxes.
• A fair start in life for every child.
• A new approach to our discredited banking system and the prospect of green and sustainable economic growth.
• And new, open politics which you can trust once again.

“So I hope you will now keep faith with us let us prove to you that we can serve this country with humility, with fairness at the heart of everything we do. And with total dedication to the interests and livelihoods of everyone in this country.”

Last night was the final of the three televised Leaders’ debates. Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, debated with Gordon Brown and David Cameron about the economy. Subjects discussed included breaking up the banks, creating more jobs and reinvigorating the British economy.

Most post-debate polls scored this final debate to David Cameron, but again put Nick Clegg clearly ahead of Gordon Brown. An analysis by pollsters Angus Reid of previously undecided voters who watched the debate gave Nick Clegg 37%, David Cameron 25%, Gordon Brown 22% and Not sure 16%. Angus Reid found that 32% of undecided voters say they are now more likely to vote for the Liberal Democrats after watching the final debate, with just 18% Conservative and 15% Labour.

In his closing statement at the final leaders’ debate, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

“Everything I’ve said during these three television debates is driven by my simple belief that if we do things differently this time, we can create a fairer, better Britain.

“As you decide how to cast your vote, of course you’ll be told by these two, that real change is dangerous, that it can’t be done.

“Don’t let anyone scare you from following your instincts. Together next week we can change Britain for good.

“Just think how many times you’ve been given lots of promises by these two old parties – only to discover when they get into Government that nothing really changes.

“We can do so much better than that this time.

“Of course I can’t guarantee that every problem you face will be solved overnight. But I can guarantee that I will work tirelessly to deliver greater fairness for you.

“Fairer taxes, so that you pay less but people at the top pay their fair share.

“A fair start, smaller class sizes, for your children.

“A different approach to the economy.

“And open, decent politics which you can trust once again.

“I believe all this can happen. This is your election. This is your country.

“When you go to vote next week, choose the future you really want. If you believe like I do that we can do things differently this time, then together we will really change Britain.

“Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t happen. It can. This time, you can make the difference.”

The Liberal Democrats have set out radical plans to protect the environment and set the economy on a path to a zero carbon Britain. The proposals include a £3.1bn green economic stimulus package, plans to slash energy use and improve energy efficiency, and a UK Infrastructure Bank to embed green investment for the long term.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

“This election is not like any other.

“Climate scientists tell us that the next government will be the last that can stop dangerous climate change.

“That is a huge responsibility for the party that wins this election. But it’s an even bigger responsibility for the voters that will choose them on May 6.

“So my message is this: don’t settle for a Labour party that has had thirteen years to deliver on the environment and has failed. Don’t settle for a Conservative party that talks the talk on green issues, only to align themselves with climate change deniers in the European Parliament. And don’t give your vote to a Green Party that cannot make a difference in Westminster.

“Instead, choose the only party that was taking a stand on saving the planet well before it became fashionable. The only party that has led the way on tackling climate change, from championing the 10:10 campaign in our councils, to setting out radical plans in Parliament to cut Britain’s carbon emissions. Choose the only party that in the wake of the economic crisis is setting out a credible vision for a new and sustainable economy.

“Something really exciting is happening in British politics. This is a huge opportunity to set Britain on the road to a prosperous and green future.

“We should seize it.”

Download our environment manifesto (Adobe pdf document)