UK Liberal leadership candidate rules out coalition

Sir Menzies Campbell, a leading contender for leadership of Britain’s Liberal Democrat Party, today ruled out coalition talks with Labour or the Conservatives if he won the contest.

Opponents have raised concerns about Sir Menzies’ views on a pact because of his involvement with Paddy Ashdown’s doomed “project” of a possible Lib-Lab pact.

But today he said he would not even consider a deal with either of the other parties.

“The only thing I would concentrate on (as leader) is maximisation of the votes,” he said.

“I would not be willing to engage in discussion or consideration of any issue of engagement or coalition of any kind, on either side.”

Sir Menzies told The Guardian that Tony Blair had moved Labour too far to the right for the Lib Dems to join them. And he said of the Tories: “I know liberals. I have worked with liberals. David Cameron is no liberal.”

Sir Menzies said he would lead a Lib Dem party to the left of Labour. He also pledged to put poverty and the environment at the heart of his agenda.

He went on to use the interview to dismiss the “myth” that he had disagreed with Lib Dem opposition to the Iraq war. He also rejected claims he had plotted against Charles Kennedy.

“It’s clear that things were said and language used which was hurtful and unnecessary, but I think the point had come at which the confluence of events made it inevitable that Charles would have to go.”

“I have done my best to fulfil my responsibility to him and to the party in circumstances which were difficult for everyone.”

Questions have been raised about Sir Menzies’ age and health. He is aged 64 and recently had treatment for cancer. But he insisted it was not an issue.

“People have got to look at me and decide if I have the stamina and commitment to do the job,” he said.

“If I didn’t think I had the stamina and the ability I would not be putting myself forward.”