Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg launched a furious attack on Labour-run Manchester council for cutting 2,000 jobs in a speech to his party today.
Speaking at the Lib Dems' spring conference in Sheffield, Mr Clegg suggested that Manchester's leadership may be taking the drastic action in a bid to harm the coalition.
"Anyone who sacks a member of staff or shuts down a public service for political purposes is a disgrace to politics and a disgrace to Britain," he added.
Motions passed by members this weekend have called for a fundamental rethink of reforms to give GPs control of commissioning health services, and dismissed the coalition's 'Project Merlin' deal with banks for pay restraint, transparency and more lending as "weak" and "insufficient".
Mr Clegg warned against listening to "Labour's scaremongering about privatising the NHS".
"I know that many of you have concerns about the government's plans for the health service," he said. What I need you to know is that all of us in government are listening, and that we take those concerns seriously."
Aides stressed that the health policies were "not set in stone", and the Deputy Prime Minister shared anxieties about accountability and privatisation safeguards.
During a debate this morning, one activist described Project Merlin as "more like Project Tommy Cooper" because it was full of "pathetic tricks".
But Mr Clegg - who last week said he wanted to "wring the necks" of bankers who caused the credit crunch - insisted the coalition was "fixing the banks".
"We are going to take £10 billion more that Labour planned in tax off them this parliament," he said. "We are making sure they lend £10 billion to ordinary business this year alone."
He said the Government would also "act" on the findings of the independent banking commission on whether retail and investment banking functions should be separated.
Turning to tuition fees, Mr Clegg said it was "no secret" that the party had been unable to deliver its long-standing pledge to abolish charges for higher education.
"I know people deeply regret that," he insisted. "But though we have been divided, we can now unite together, behind one clear mission: to make university access fair, fair for all."
After Business Secretary Vince Cable admitted to "worries" that too many institutions wanted to levy the new top rate of £9,000 a year, the Deputy Prime Minister added: "Let me be clear to the universities: Open your doors or we will cut your fees back down to size."
Signalling his determination to press on with controversial measures, Mr Clegg stressed the compromises secured from the Conservatives - including taking the poorest out of the tax system, raising capital gains tax for the wealthy, a pupil premium for less well-off students, and the AV referendum.
"Clinging to the comfort blanket of opposition would not have made life more comfortable for our fellow citizens. It would have been an abdication of responsibility.
"Never, ever doubt the value of being in government."
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here endeth the latest lesson my the TORY PARTY LAPDOG.
THE LABOUR PARTY ARE NOT SCAREMONGERING ABOUT THE NHS. IT IS TORY FACT. HOw long before there is a queue at the hospital doors, a queue of patients being checked that they have PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE BEFORE THEY ARE LET THROUGH THE DOORS.
He is right,even though he has absolutely no credibility! The fact is,the government should not have left it to the council to decide on job cuts. Independent auditors and work study experts should have been brought in to evaluate where cuts should be made and reported back to the government! Manchester's 'jobs for the boys and girls' should be the first to go,NOT front line services!
You don't really expect turkeys to vote for Christmas,do you?
Whats the point of raising tax on the wealthy without closing the loopholes the wealthy use to get away with avoiding it?
i the long run it is the govermunt's falt as thay have cut conicle bugets and told them not to over spend, so thay are to blame, after all i did not vote for them neather most of the britsh people, the voting was a shambols not enouth voting papers and people
shut out of poling stacions the whole thing was a farse,
Labour got us in this mess - and they're still meddling around trying to avert any progress towards a recovery in the name of their own selfish power trip.
Nobody should ever vote Labour again. 'Tory cuts' don't exist. They are just busy trying to shoo away the chickens that are home to roost.
Clegg is misinformed. None of the 2000 at MCC have been sacked. They have been offered their pensions if over 55 or severance pay if under 55. The staff who are leaving or have left have CHOSEN to do so. I suggest Clegg shuts his mouth until he knows the facts and makes the most of the next 3 years or so in power because after that, he is in the politcal wilderness.
mr clegg your just a muppet and nobody cares what you say..........
"Anyone who sacks a member of staff or shuts down a public service for political purposes is a disgrace to politics and a disgrace to Britain,"
That'll be the Tories then, Mr Clegg.
Nick Clegg is a disgrace.
you pathetic little man! to suggest the cuts are down to politics, when people's livelihoods are at stake is an absolutely disgusting thing to say!!! Clegg, you are an advert for how things should not be done in politics and in life i.e. playing the blame game, scapegoating just to cover one's own errors in judgement, and singlehandedly setting back the reputation of the lib dems to an all time low.
Who's this guy again?
Does anyone seriously believe a word he says? Last time the Liberals were in a coaltion the following election saw just 4 MP's returned for the Liberals. Not only does he break his signed pledges, but he hasn't learned anything from history. I just wonder if at the next election the Lib Dems will even manage 4 MPs.
What hypocrisy!
In the budget debate in Manchester Council chamber last Wednesday, the leading Lib Dem Cllr Ashley said the ‘we are all agreed that these cuts are unfair to Manchester, and Eric Pickles is not fit to be the Secretary of State.’
Eighty Lib Dem Council leaders wrote recently to the Times complaining that the local council cuts were unfair and unsustainable.
I know Nick Clegg recently forgot he was deputy prime minister, and he lied when he promised no rise in tuition fees.
Now he has forgotten he is the one propping up the Coalition that cut £110 million to Manchester.LibDems have lost all integrity, lost the plot, and soon to they will loose their deposits
The council haven't sacked anyone due to the funding cuts - it's voluntary redundancy and voluntary early retirement, you foolish man.
"Never, ever doubt the value of being in government" - Nick Clegg.
Irrespective of having sold your party, supporters, and the entire electorate, for a 'mess of pottage', eh?
You've been found out, Mr Clegg - and destroyed the Libdems into the bargain.
He's totally right of course - the way Manchester City Council have handled the cuts just goes to show they are a national disgrace. Our [LD] shadow budget for Manchester (which was balanced and validated by the City Treasurer) found the money to keep all services open that Labour want to cut.
Predictably they voted against it.
the kettle calling the pot black, not bad for a party who sold its principles for a few odd jobs in a government totally unelected by the British voters.
Total and utter Clown, God I never liked Thatcher nor Cameron but this guy is total puke. Wait til the May elections Clegg, who are you going to blame then, your party will get slaughtered and will turn on you, the coalition will crumble and there will be an election by March 2012
In terms of public spending Clegg, at the party's 2009 conference in Bournemouth, argued that there needed to be "savage" spending cuts and said politicians need to treat voters "like grown ups" whilst accusing the Labour and Conservative parties of indulging in "childish games" over the "c-word"
Mr Clegg That is exactly what you have got so stop trying to duck the issue of "savage" spending cuts
Con/dem is exactly as the word means CONDEM to destroy what exists.......
Why does labour make these drastics cuts in public services that effect thousands of tax payers...... Why because Central goverment says they have to make cuts..
Do they make cuts in thier wages the one who are at the top of the pay chain whom make on average ££££££ through thier qangos and tangos and backhanders...
Come on get real this country is in need of a boost of energy in the work market not unemployement like this condem goverment is running us into.....
Well written article
He sort of has a point although he can't have his cake and eat it. The council do need to make very large budget cuts although I can't see why they can't deal with this like the private sector and offer people reduced hours & job shares in return for a pro-rata pay reduction and/or unpaid leave in order to save jobs overall. If they go down the path of least resistance - VR - rather than the CR route then the most valuable (i.e. re-employable) council staff who give us taxpayers good value for money will leave and they will end up not getting rid of the dead wood in non-jobs where real savings could be found
Mr Clegg warned against listening to "Labour's scaremongering about privatising the NHS".
"I know that many of you have concerns about the government's plans for the health service," he said. What I need you to know is that all of us in government are listening, and that we take those concerns seriously."
Aides stressed that the health policies were "not set in stone", and the Deputy Prime Minister shared anxieties about accountability and privatisation safeguards
What about the lies about the recession all Labours fault, what about the fib dems promise to get rid of tuition and then trebling them, or the real truth about the NHS, the prision arm of the NHS has already been privatised, if you really wanted to help the poor you would make sure that anybody on minimum wage didn't pay tax, your moves means anybody on less than 144 pounds a week, so not full time workers but part timers, and you have no idea how many it ranges from 500k to 900k depending on which minister or fib dem you speak to. Meanwhile corporation tax is cut more to help big business avoid even more tax like the 120b not collected this year which includes 19b from banks.
Don't suppose Mr Clegg will be launching any furious attacks on any Tory run councils in the near future?