Nick Clegg: I will campaign to defeat breathtaking arrogance of Alex Salmond in Gordon Deputy PM launches heated attack on former First Minister of Scotland, suggesting he is undermining democracy by using Scottish seat to strut his stuff in Commons Nick Clegg has vowed to personally campaign against Alex Salmond in the seat of Gordon as he attacked the former First Minister of Scotlands breathtaking arrogance in trying to win the seat. The Deputy Prime Minister accused Mr Salmond of undermining democracy by seeking to stage an elected coronation in the Liberal Democrat-held seat so he can strut his stuff in Westminster. Mr Clegg suggested Mr Salmonds time in the spotlight during the independence referendum had gone to his head and predicted voters in Gordon would reject him at the ballot box. The scathing attack on someone Mr Clegg may have to negotiate with if both parties hold the balance of power after the election as pollsters predict came during a London press conference. Mr Salmond, who resigned as First Minister after losing the Scottish independence referendum, is running to be MP for Gordon – a seat currently held by Lib Dem Sir Malcolm Bruce, who is stepping down in May. Asked whether the Lib Dems could hold onto the Scottish seat in his first press conference of 2015, Mr Clegg said: I think we can, actually. I think we can cause quite a big upset. He added: The arrogance with which Alex Salmond regards what the people of Gordon might do as nothing more than a sort of elevated coronation so that he can waft down to the Westminster stage and strut his stuff in the House of Commons is absolutely breathtaking. I was speaking to Christine Jardine, our excellent candidate there. She said actually what people are really annoyed about is that the SNP were in power for years, they did nothing about the state of the roads in Gordon. I think all members of the health board in that part of Scotland just resigned en masse recently because of mismanagement of the health system by the SNP. And I think the earthy, good commonsense of the people of Gordon will say: Well, hang on a minute. Dont take us for granted, Alex Salmond. Fix our roads, fix our hospitals, do what youre supposed to do ... Dont trample on our heads just so that you can strut your stuff on the Westminster stage. Mr Clegg went on: I think its all gone a bit to his head now. I think he sort of thinks he now doesnt need to bother with the ABC of how to get elected and the ABC of democracy, which starts with peoples local needs. Thats why I think fighting a vigorous local campaign ... we will cause an upset to many of the assumptions about Alex Salmonds chances in Gordon. telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/nick-clegg/11325644/Nick-Clegg-I-will-campaign-to-defeat-breathtaking-arrogance-of-Alex-Salmond-in-Gordon.html
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 01:40:37 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015