15/09/2013 Sunday Politics East

after the summer recess, and the party conference season is already

Democrats. Have a great conference. Nick Clegg has some convincing to

do, according to our very own Sunday Politics poll, his troops don't

do, according to our very own Sunday his coalition bedmates. The latest

poll of the country also has the Lib Dems languishing behind UKIP in

Paddy Ashdown! So can the Lib Dems election in 2015? We will talking to

former leader, now the party's general election commander-in-chief,

George Osborne is a happy bunny these days,

And calls to strengthen the planning day.

And calls to strengthen the planning rules on solar farms. We reveal how

brightest hopes, Sarah Teather is acres

brightest hopes, Sarah Teather is now heading for the exit. We will

hear from Nick Clegg on what it And freshly showered from the Great

North Run and looking as fresh as daisies, the best and brightest

Janan Ganesh, Helen Lewis and Iain Now, their leader is our Deputy

Prime Minister. They are the junior government. They like the colour

yellow and they have not won a general election since dinosaurs

walked the earth. Now they are behind UKIP in the polls, so as

walked the earth. Now they are party gathers for its annual bash

this year in Glasgow, what is on their mind? Who are the people

gathering at the Clyde this weekend? their mind? Who are the people

Before they started drinking, we councillors in England and Wales,

comrade. The first question we asked was, if the next election results in

a hung parliament, which team would you rather go into coalition with,

the Reds or the blues? Lib Dem councillors said Labour, two to

the Reds or the blues? Lib Dem Tories or Labour? It is not for

the Reds or the blues? Lib Dem to say. It is for the voters to

say. We will decide depending on councillors favoured a coalition

is on the table. Who would you rather play table football against?

because I am winning. So in the winning 's which ones are heading

popular policy was a mansion tax on house is worth more than £2 million,

popular policy was a mansion tax on councillors. The next most popular

policy was scrapping the Trident nuclear deterrent, supported by

policy was scrapping the Trident of councillors. Then there was the

reinstatement of the 50p top rate of income tax. 70% of councillors like

the look of that. When it came to the idea of banning the burka in

public places like schools and airports, 45% of councillors were in

favour. Finally, a ban on topless Page three model is won the support

of 33% of councillors. Why is it so popular, the idea of a mansion tax?

It is a much fairer tax. We know there are people out there with

It is a much fairer tax. We know expensive houses. Which of these is

most important to you? Banning Trident. The cold war ended in

1989. Another one was the idea of banning the burka in public places.

whatever they like. If they want to banning the burka in public places.

wear the birth or a kilt or if they anything. We are the party of jobs.

Thank you. Last night, a fully clothed Nick Clegg rallied his

troops, but if he was not around, who would Lib Dem councillors want

instead? Business Secretary Vince Cable was most popular, with a third

of the votes. In second place, the party's president, Tim Farron, with

27%. 10% went to Danny Alexander, while the business minister Joe

Swinson received 7%. The Energy Secretary Ed Davey scooped 6%, and

in last place, Steve Webb, the pensions minister, who got 5%. If

any of these councillors want to talk to me about it, I would be

delighted to hear from them. Is talk to me about it, I would be

certainly isn't. What do you think contenders. But our survey is not

the only one that has got tongues wagging in Glasgow, because the

the only one that has got tongues Dem leadership have commissioned

their own poll which showed that 75% Dem leadership have commissioned

of the country will never vote Dem leadership have commissioned

the party, no matter what they do. Also meeting here this weekend,

the party, no matter what they do. Democrats like to think they have

got just as much va-va-voom, even if a big chunk of the country doesn't.

Add, back in his hometown. So, the Much of their party thinks they

Add, back in his hometown. So, the moving in the wrong direction.

Earlier, I spoke to former party moving in the wrong direction.

leader Paddy Ashdown. He has been put in charge of heading up the

leader Paddy Ashdown. He has been election campaign. I asked him if

the mood in Glasgow was grim. No. In many ways, as you know, Tory old

commentator that you are just as I am a hoary old member at the other

end of the camera, we have been midterm of a government, especially

when you are in government and the country is going for in a deep

economic crisis, has almost no relevance to where you might be

economic crisis, has almost no the nipple come to consider how

economic crisis, has almost no will vote in 600 days time -- when

the people come to consider how will vote in 600 days time -- when

will vote. We do not dismiss polls, but they are a snapshot of what

will vote. We do not dismiss polls, indication of where we will be.

will vote. We do not dismiss polls, guess is, for what it is worth,

will vote. We do not dismiss polls, as we come to the election, the

public will be in a very serious, probably frightened mood. Their

public will be in a very serious, thoughts will be, who maintains

public will be in a very serious, job, makes sure I don't have to

public will be in a very serious, to higher mortgage? The coalition

has delivered not only the required policies to make Britain's economy

prosperous, but also its society fair. That is what people will want

to see. I think coalition politics are here to stay and we have a role

to play in it. But you are in a are here to stay and we have a role

mood this morning. You tweeted that you were not happy with how the

Observer newspaper handled your there anything we can do to help?

There is probably something they arguments with the interview. The

headline they chose to put on it late last night was outrageous,

misrepresentative and in one case in Something about Ashdown wants a

coalition with the Tories, or at Something about Ashdown wants a

least they gave that in for us Something about Ashdown wants a

inference. Let me make this point. election. I am in charge of the

campaign. Any journalist who in these next two years says that any

Liberal Democrat prefers anything else in terms of the outcome of

Liberal Democrat prefers anything coalition but the result of the

ballot box dictating that outcome, that any prefer one side to another

coalition determined by the electors that any prefer one side to another

in the votes, will get a bloody that any prefer one side to another

time from me, no matter who they are. We take the warning. A survey

of Lib Dem councillors shows that in coalition with the Tories. That

of Lib Dem councillors shows that in clear sign that your activists want

a change of direction. I don't think it is news that as a left-wing

party, we find it more congenial with those on the left wing, but

that is not the issue. You saw it election. We are servants of the

ballot box. We do watch the British people require us to do to provide a

of our country. I am sure you have stable government in the interests

of our country. I am sure you have got the point by now. I have fought

the Tories all my life. But when responsibility to amend the economic

crisis, was this right for the determine who are going to be in any

coalition, should there be one, determine who are going to be in any

voters and nobody else. It is not about what we like. I understand

that. But your own internal polls leadership are not taking the party

with them on that. I don't think that is true. Nick Clegg has done

what no other party leader has done. He took the coalition agreement

what no other party leader has done. the party, and they voted for it. So

it is not true to say that members different direction. I think we

it is not true to say that members extraordinarily united. I did not

expect them to be so under these pressures, but they have surprised

me and made me joyful at the same time. The party has done what it

done in local government for a long time. We may have our private likes

and dislikes, but the thing that coalition is the ballot box. You

have said that three times. I can say it again if you like. Please

don't! What if your party votes say it again if you like. Please

reinstate tuition fees as party policy afternoon? We will have to

listen to that and act accordingly. You must listen to the voice of

listen to that and act accordingly. party and take it into account in

what you do. I am always quite answering hypothetical questions. I

don't think it is likely to happen, but if it did, we would have to

don't think it is likely to happen, distinguished Lib Dems was that

don't think it is likely to happen, your party conference voted for

something, it was in the manifesto. The manifesto is taken in its final

form before the party for decision. The party will express views at

form before the party for decision. stage in all sorts of ways. It did

in my leadership, too. The manifesto is democratically agreed by the

party at the time of the election, not before. The Tory conference

party at the time of the election, be about how they think they have

been vindicated, that austerity be about how they think they have

worked, the economy is turning a corner. But Nick Clegg's conference

announcements will be about plastic bags. Have you got the hang of this

coalition think? Andrew, you can always be guaranteed to put things

in the most discreditable form! always be guaranteed to put things

is part of your charm. That was about to be a minor announcement in

discovered beforehand. It has not the middle of his speech. But it was

discovered beforehand. It has not been very popular in terms of how it

has been received, but that is not the central message. That leads

has been received, but that is not to what I think is the biggest

election. Isn't the biggest danger that the Tories, not you, if there

is an economic recovery, they will get the credit for it? I don't think

think the electorate does gratitude. The only time people cast a thank

Thatcher over the sale of council houses. We could have a different

discussion over whether that was a good idea. But what you have done is

the underpinning for the promise of government, we have stayed firm

the underpinning for the promise of very tough economic policy. But

the underpinning for the promise of you get the credit? What we have

done by ourselves, which the Tories would never have done, is make sure

that when the pain is felt, it is not the poor who feel it. We have

seen the biggest shift of taxation, lifting the poorest in the country

out of taxation, that has ever happened, including in the previous

Labour government. You are presiding over the biggest squeeze on living

standards in modern times. Because it is the biggest recession in

modern times. When you speak to it is the biggest recession in

2.5 million people who have been lifted out of taxation altogether

because of the Liberal Democrats, tax cut. You may be able to make the

because of the Liberal Democrats, connection, Andrew, you are a sharp

economic crisis and difficulty for everybody. But it is clear that

economic crisis and difficulty for the Tories had been by themselves,

none of that would have happened. We have sought to shift the burden

none of that would have happened. We from the poorest in this country. I

am part of that. So when we go into the next election, the message will

am part of that. So when we go into be that if you want to continue

am part of that. So when we go into have a prosperous economy and a

society, only the Liberal Democrats will deliver that. Tim Farron says

want to diss him. Can you confirm he likes Ed Miliband and he does not

want to diss him. Can you confirm that there will be no dissing of Ed

Miliband? It is not much my style. I've never much liked comments about

the other leaders. I do not intend to make it so in the future. Can I'd

finish up on Syria? You said after the Syria vote that Britain was

finish up on Syria? You said after hugely diminished country. Given it

both sides on a course which could now see Syria give up chemical

weapons without records to military action, would you like to withdraw

these remarks and admit that you should be proud and happy with what

Britain has done? No. You and I should be proud and happy with what

know, because we are old observers, that that would never have happened

underpinning of a threat to use resigned from that. We have no part

to play in the fact that Assad and Putin have moved towards peace for

to play in the fact that Assad and fear of military action. We decided

exactly the opposite. Why would fear of military action. We decided

liked to have seen our country join in with those who are serious about

upholding an international law which has restrained even than axes and

left others to make sure that we talent, but instead we resigned

left others to make sure that we moved towards peace. -- even the

Maxis and Stalin. But if it had moved towards peace. -- even the

would not have had the time to allow this to happen. It has avoided war.

Job done, British Parliament. That would be true if it was accurate but

it is not. The resolution proposed a delay, that we should wait until the

inspectors came back. That time frame was absolutely nothing to

inspectors came back. That time with the parliamentary vote. The

vote was going to incorporate that. I do not think you can claim what

vote was going to incorporate that. remember that diplomacy, which was

not reinforced by the threat of military action, does not work.

not reinforced by the threat of is when diplomacy runs with a grain

of military action that it works. illustration of that, look at what

is happening over the last two weeks. By regret to say that our

country, which has always been in disengagement, had no part to play

And you we would get to the Balkans eventually, and we did. His biggest

challenge is if the economy is get some credit for the Lib Dems,

when the Tories will want to halt it all. But his position is not to

when the Tories will want to halt it the necessary axeman. That is George

Osborne's role. Their role is to be Osborne's role. Their role is to be

the chaser party, taking the edge off. They will because of me going

on about the pupil premium and That is what you will hear from

of the cuts. Will that work? They them, how they have taken the edge

of the cuts. Will that work? They are in a pretty good position. Even

if they have lost two thirds of are in a pretty good position. Even

popular support, according to the polls, I do not know anyone in

Westminster methinks that will be matched in their parliamentary

representation. If they have 56 matched in their parliamentary

now, they might lose a dozen but Strategically, they are in a better

position than the reading of the polls would tell you. I think Nick

Clegg's survival has been one of the stories of this Parliament. He is

looking good at the comfort -- at the conference. When he was at his

lowest after the AV referendum, people were saying he would survive

I thought that was fanciful. Believe and lead us into 2015 and beyond and

I thought that was fanciful. Believe it or not... Paddy Ashdown was

wrong, you were wrong and... I wasn't. I'm underestimated how bad

his rivals are. If you are Lib Dem member, however aggrieved you are

with Nick Clegg, you do not think, wouldn't it be great if Christian

was in charge? Nick Clegg is the best they have. -- Chris Huhne was

in charge. Of course, the people do in charge. Of course, the people do

government and it is a consequence of the way they vote, a different

matter. If Janan Ganesh is right, and they lose 15 seats in the next

pivotal in the next government. It Possibly the most amusing outcome

would be a Labour or Tory overall majority, which would be hilarious

for the look on Paddy Ashdown's face. The danger is they get trapped

constantly in talking about the politics of coalition and of a hung

parliament. And they are very puffed politics of coalition and of a hung

parliament. And they are very puffed up and they enjoy Parliament and

there is a possibility they will not be. While they are talking about the

Polish and themselves, they are be. While they are talking about the

talking about the issues facing be. While they are talking about the

coalition. It was interesting that he said that we are a left-wing

party, not a centre-left party or a centre party, but a left-wing party.

I'm going to put myself in the firing line and say that there is a

big split between the Tim Farron line who say they like Ed Miliband,

and another one, Jeremy Browne in the Home Office saying that Labour

are intellectually lazy. The risk clearly a clique around Nick Clegg

who wants to be a synthetic party, but that is not where the membership

who wants to be a synthetic party, activists are clearly of the left,

not just the centre-left. They are very pro-immigration and they want

strategy has to be to take the party to the centre. The something not

happen at some stage? The poll suggests it is a left-wing party.

happen at some stage? The poll Very left-wing. Other think the

happen at some stage? The poll would have yielded -- would have

yielded the same results before would have yielded -- would have

2010 election. This is reflected by the arithmetic. Whichever party

2010 election. This is reflected by biggest will most likely be the

2010 election. This is reflected by in coalition with the Lib Dems.

2010 election. This is reflected by Clegg's on latitude to choose is

exaggerated by us. The choice is no parliamentary arithmetic. But if you

remember the structure of the Lib Dems, they can tie themselves up in

infighting. -- the choice is not stable. And Nick Clegg has had a

good conference last year, and will have another one this year. The

economy is better than it was a have another one this year. The

ago. It could still go quite well for him. Yes, it is one of the

ago. It could still go quite well stories of this Parliament, his

survival and the way in which he has prospered. But there are a lot of

campaigners, labour activists who have not forgotten what he has done

in government and are determined to get him. It will be a tough year and

a half. Tougher than he imagined. Now, not so long ago they were

writing George Osborne's political obituary. Be on the Omni shambles

budget of 2012 and a lacklustre performance of the British economy

meant his reputation work -- was in the dirt. -- the omnishambles. But

things have changed. The Chancellor is saying he has been vindicated. If

runway, it looks as though the British economy has taken off,

quarter. Forecasts for the rest British economy has taken off,

the year have been revised up words. What's more, the office for National

recession never actually happened. Unemployment is down in the three

months to July and the number of spasticity rate since 1997. On

Monday, George Osborne said his policies were bearing fruit. We

Monday, George Osborne said his our nerve when many told us to

abandon our plans. As a result, thanks to the efforts and sacrifices

of the British people, Britain is turning a corner. The message for

his Labour critics was clear. The Chancellor thinks he was right and

Good afternoon. Good afternoon.Do you accept that the economy has

turned a corner? I think it is good that a stalled recovery appears

turned a corner? I think it is good get this in perspective. We have had

three wasted years. We have the worst economic recovery in history.

Debt is up and we have record youth programme if they feel better or

worse off, compared to 2010, the majority will tell you they feel

worse because, on average, wages are down by £1500 compared to May of

2010. That is the situation. The one of the things we have seen

talked about, Vince Cable has been talking about this as well, is what

is happening in the housing market. It seems that much of the solution

to powering the recovery in the It seems that much of the solution

of George Osborne lies in sorting out the housing market but the

problem is, we are at risk of being another housing bubble. Because

problem is, we are at risk of being research that came out this week, we

know that housing in the UK is three times more expensive than in the US.

know that housing in the UK is three We know that house prices are rising

five times faster than wages, but we also know that the government is

five times faster than wages, but we building new housing at a slower

rate, the slowest rate that we have complaining about a housing bubble,

isn't that like Satan complaining about seven? -- seven. We all know

that we cannot go back to business as usual. We need to build a new

model of growth. But the housing bubble you talk about, it is not a

bubble. It might turn into one. bubble you talk about, it is not a

said the risk of a bubble. It is nothing like what happened on the

I said, in 2009, we had the crash and we knew we needed to reconfigure

the way that our economy works. Having an economy based on crisis is

rebalance the economy. We saw the unemployment statistics this week,

and it is welcomed overall, that unemployment has come down. At half

up. And it went down in other parts. We know that we need to rebalance

our economy, so that we do not just rely on consumption, but that we

grow our productive sectors. And also that we grow our exports as

well. We know we have a continuing deficit. We always have a trade

deficit. There was never a trade surplus under Labour. Want to come

onto what you have mentioned but would you scrap the help to buy

scheme? We have not said that we would you scrap the help to buy

scheme? We have not said that we would do that. Why not if it is

causing the bubble? If you let me finish, on one hand what that scheme

does at the moment, at the moment it is inhalation to a new scheme but

tomorrow -- next year it will be in you do not sort out the supply of

housing, then that is a recipe for the problems we have seen. Our

argument is build more houses. Help more people to buy them by all means

but if you do not have the supply more people to buy them by all means

but if you do not have the supply you will end up with rising prices.

That is obvious. Labour said that government austerity would prevent

the return of growth. Austerity government austerity would prevent

were wrong. We never said that growth would never return. What

were wrong. We never said that said was that if you went for an

were wrong. We never said that overly extreme deficit reduction

recovery and you would choke growth. That is what we saw for three years.

If you say, look at the US economy, it has grown at three times the

If you say, look at the US economy, economy has grown at twice the rate.

But the British economy is growing quicker than the American or German

economy is now. But over time we have not seen that happen. But it is

now. That may be the case. But my point is that those three years

now. That may be the case. But my people undergoing huge stress and

worry. It is good that we have growth back again but the question

is, what kind of growth? What we have said... I'm going to come onto

that but your credibility depends on your previous analysis. And there

are doubts about it. This is what you said not that long ago. In

You and the Labour Party said it had choked off growth. You were wrong.

We were not wrong, because we had three years where the economy was

not moving. Let's remind ourselves. Claude Osborne was predicting that

the economy was going to grow by 6.9% between the start of this

Parliament and now. It has grown by 1.8%. We did not say we would never

have a return to growth. You never said that austerity would only

temporarily delay growth. We have looked through your speeches and Ed

Balls'. We can't find any reference to say this is simply delaying the

recovery. You said austerity would choke off growth. If that is true,

why has it returned now? Did we choke off growth. If that is true,

it would choke off growth for ever? choke off growth. If that is true,

We did not. You have changed your tune. I think your package at the

top of this programme, to frame tune. I think your package at the

around George Osborne, this is not a people's lives, and the people who

deserve huge credit for the growth we are seeing are our country's

businesses, who despite the tough economic times, have succeeded.

businesses, who despite the tough are the ones who have powered this

Westminster to take credit. But are the ones who have powered this

blame the government for lack of growth. So therefore, when the

growth comes, the government has to situation Britain is in now. We

growth comes, the government has to the recovery still has to reach

growth comes, the government has to parts of the country, but this is

the OECD annualised growth in the G-7, the world's guest economies.

That is looking pretty healthy. G-7, the world's guest economies.

is a recovery. I am not denying G-7, the world's guest economies.

we are seeing a stalled recovery, but who benefits from the growth? On

average, your viewers have sustained a £1500 pay cut. That is the second

biggest fall in the G20 since May 2010. Because we had the biggest

financial services sector and took services are still in decline.

the economy. They are not the only contributor to the economy. The

point is, who benefits? Unemployment is falling, but we don't just want

people to have any job, we want is falling, but we don't just want

to have decent jobs that pay a weight you can live off and that are

more secure. Let me show you the unemployment figures. Your criticism

has been that all the new jobs are part-time. They are not now, they

employment, up 94,000. This is a short time frame. It is since the

recovery began. Half the jobs that have been part-time jobs. Roughly

who would like to work full-time. Over the last 20 years, people now

feel more insecure at work than ever. The question is about what

feel more insecure at work than kind of growth and employment you

are getting. The other point is kind of growth and employment you

uneven spread of this across our north-east and north-west, the

Humber, the east of England, they agree that there was a regional

imbalance, but the service sector is growing, cheering and construction

are growing and financial services are in decline, so the rebalance is

happening. It is not happening to the degree we need to transform

happening. It is not happening to long-term, sustainable model of

comprehensive industrial strategy towards. Your party conference is

coming up. I am sure you are looking forward to it. Why do Ed Miliband's

people see of him? I don't accept approval ratings get worse the more

people see of him? I don't accept that. I have given you the figures.

Polls go up and down. I have said that on this programme before. But

his approval rating has consistently gone down. What actually matters our

leadership, the Labour Party have gone down. What actually matters our

put on almost 2000 extra councillors in places like Canada case, even

Whitney. What is wrong with Whitney? We have been putting on votes. Let

me show you this. This is the net satisfaction rating. Your leader is

now more unpopular than Gordon Brown was when he took Labour to the worst

defeat in living memory. Gordon Brown did not put on anything like

this number of councillors. Votes are what matter, Andrew. Few people

think Ed Miliband is a capable leader. Twice as many people think

over Spurs who lives on the moon. These are polls. If you are talking

to me about over Spurs lit, that puts this into context, Europe

Presley. Since 2010, we have put on thousands of members. Compare that

to the Conservative Party, which has not won a general election since

1992. They will not disclose their membership figures. Why -- why won't

you pledge to renationalise Royal Mail? Because that would be like

writing a blank cheque. We don't know at the moment how much the

government would receive for the sale of Royal Mail? So how can I

judge how much it would cost to sale of Royal Mail? So how can I

irresponsible. But the government does not need to do this right now.

The entire country is against it. Sources in the City and Whitehall

tell me that if Labour pledged to renationalise it, it would kill

tell me that if Labour pledged to the flotation. So if you are against

it, why don't you do it? For me the flotation. So if you are against

pledge to renationalise Royal Mail cheque. But if you put it in the

prospectus, people in the City, cheque. But if you put it in the

know more about these things, say it would not happen, so why not do

know more about these things, say it Because that would be irresponsible.

It would be like writing a cheque for billions to renationalise Royal

Mail. You would not have too right at the check if it did not happen. I

have to deal with the facts. I am not good deal with the plot somebody

might be speculating about in the City. We have to be careful about

renationalise it now would be like writing a bank cheque . We are going

government. That is why I am not prepared to do that. Ed Balls will

not be talking to you. You are watching the Sunday Politics. Coming

Hello, and welcome to the first of up in 20 minutes,

Hello, and welcome to the first of this new series. Later in the

programme, passions run high over plans the solar farms as hundreds of

acres of agricultural land in the region are developed. It is right

adjacent to the village, within yards of the nearest house. It is

going to ruin the whole character of the village. And, as the Lib Dem

conference opens, we hear from Nick Clegg, who defends their record in

the east. A lot has happened since we were

away, not least the plans for the post —— first toll road. But first,

let us meet our guests, Peter and Julian. This week, we had the

controversial news that the long awaited a 14 upgrade is to be a

compulsory toll road. It will rejoin the old A14 after Ellington. The

government has decided to remove a crucial role bridge in Huntington,

forcing cars onto the toll road. Most MPs relate —— remained

tight—lipped, with the exception of one MP. The taxpayers paid for this

road and the infrastructure, and I don't think we can take it away for

what is seen to be a ruse to get people onto a toll road. As the Lib

Dem party conference gets underway this weekend, our political

correspondent met up with Nick Clegg and Aston what he thinks about those

controversial plans for the A14. We all need to ask ourselves questions

about how we get the new roads and bypasses and the capacity on

congested parts of our road network but don't make sure the taxpayer is

on the hook for everything. The plan for the A14 is not that the toll

would cover all the costs, but some of the costs, so the general tax

paying public would therefore have their contribution somewhat reduced.

We've obviously had the significant announcement from the highways

agency about the timetable, but I hope people will see that they will

be persuaded. But you knocking down existing parts meaning most people

will have no choice but to pay the toll. That seems unfair. Well, there

are other bottlenecks where people do pay tolls and are used to doing

so. I think, frankly, it is part of a new world where we cannot just

expect the tax paying public to pay for everything. You have to somehow

share the burden between everyday pet —— payers and people who use the

road in question. People have said that using that toll road is going

to add £300,000 a year to his annual bill. This is hardly helping

business, is it? Well, I'm sure they are also using —— losing money

because of delays. You need to combat the problem of paying the

toll with being on the road as it is at the moment and not moving. We

want to have the traffic moving on the right road at the right speed at

the right price. Julian, you on the record saying this toll road is not

a good idea. Well, on the bigger issue, we're making some progress. I

argued over a decade now when I was a counsellor that we need to do

something about the A14, both because of the safety problems and

also because of things like the Huntington viaduct, which is well

past its sell by date. It is not a viable part of the road network

anymore. And I think it is right to get rid of it. But paying a toll can

lead to people rattling along other roads. Peter, where are you on this?

I think I agree with Nick. I understand what Julian is saying as

well, but if we're going to get large infrastructure projects

going, not everything can be paid for by the taxpayer. But we're

talking about not being people a proper alternative to paying the

toll. Well, I think of the M6 and you have the alternative, and that

works well. Sometimes you pay because you want to go quickly,

other times you go on the other road. I'm surprised they have done

this, but I understand it is because of damage to an existing bridge. So

you can still use the old route, but it will take longer. Gillian, a

school of thought says that people can be forced to use this toll road

to make it financially viable, unlike the M6, which people avoid. I

think there is a genuine issue about the old road, but I am concerned

about the toll. I was concerned that another plan was going to drive

traffic through Cambridge, and I do remained concerned about this

approach. It wouldn't apply overnight, but I am reluctant to see

it go ahead. I would encourage people to have a look at the

consultation, because they are consulting on the toll road and

there is a chance for people to make a difference. Do you think this sets

a precedent? Yes, I think if we're going to see new roads built

quickly, they are going to be toll roads. But they need to be

alternatives. Life in the countryside can be

anything but peaceful. The latest battle in our field is over the

explosion in the number of solar farms. The East is now dotted with

solar farms built or being built right across this region. Many more

are waiting for approval. Opposition is growing. Now there are calls to

strengthen powers given to residents to reject them.

We're all going to see it. You will not see it. We do not need your

construction year. There is no mistaking the strength of feeling

over solar farm applications. Here, 173 acres of farmland surrounded by

a conservation area are at stake. I sympathise with their views in terms

of the change of the use of the land, but I would ask that they just

consider whether or not a growing pool of objectors in one village

should really be denying surrounding villages and towns with the right to

clean, green, renewable energy. I think it will totally ruined the

village. It will dominate the scenery. It is twice as big as the

village itself, at least. Why take arable land out of production? Why

put solar panels on sites where there are nesting birds who are

listed as protected species? People come to this area for walking and

bird—watching. That is going to be the first thing that they see.

Despite objections from the majority of the residents, there is nothing

the parish council can do. Can you stop it? We will do our best. If it

counted on public opinion, certainly, public opinion is against

the setting. But we're not certain that that counts in planning policy.

The government has recently changed the planning guidelines for wind

farms, but solar farms can still be imposed on local communities. A

growing number of MPs believes that has to change. The government has

changed the rules. They said that for wind farms much greater account

needs to be taken of local opinion, and where they do get set up, the

local community should get some benefit. I think the arguments for

those two measures, which are very welcome, are just as strongly

applicable to solar farms. The huge growth in the number of solar farms

like this one being built on 38 acres near Suffolk was not

anticipated by the government, which barely mentioned solar in its energy

road map only two years ago. It is going to be a big player.

Obviously, the government didn't realise at that moment in time. They

should've looked at what was happening in Europe. We've gathered

a huge momentum in terms of solar in the UK. Here, a 35 acre solar farm

was welcomed. Now, there is an application for another, double its

size. For an opportunity to have a solar farm on the farm is absolutely

marvellous. It is guaranteed income with no cost going into it. A survey

found 76% of farmers save renewables could play a Gator —— greater role

in their business. Most of our solar farms have been built in the last

three years. This one went up in 2011. According to our figures,

there is at least 850 acres in the east that have solar farms built or

being built, and another 450 acres with applications pending for more

solar farms. And the building looks set to continue despite opponents

like these in Norfolk, his campaign is backed by the MP. There is no

point in having energy production on one hand if we are seeing a

reduction in food production. I want to see balance. By 2020 the UK's

target is to get 15% of its energy from renewables. Last year, the

scene was less than 20% —— 10%. The Green Party have been meeting in

Brighton for their conference. They are in favour of solar farm

developments and earlier I spoke to the campaign for this region, Doctor

Rupert Read. I asked him whether food security should be sacrificed

for energy security. Well, most of the land used the solar farms is low

quality agricultural land, marginal land. If you are a farmer, you've

got some good land and some not so good land. You will obviously put

your solar panels on the not so good land. So the problem is overstated.

The land is not good land, because that would not make sense. Are you

saying no solar panels are on high—grade land? I'm saying that any

farmer that does put solar panels on good land is not very illiterate ——

economical and financially literate. IU backing solar power because the

battle has been lost on offshore wind power? What we need is a mixed

bag of renewables. We need tidal power, river power, solar and wind

energy. We need a combination of them so we never have an absence of

power at any one time, and we need them soon. These are going to

produce good, green jobs as well. It is a win—win situation for

everybody. What about the visual impact? Local people in some areas

don't like them at all. If you compare the visual impact of solar

farms to wind farms, solar farms are generally less impactful. And many

people want wind farms in the area and many people want solar farms. If

there are a growing dissatisfaction with green policies at the moment?

Is that something you will be addressing at your conference this

week? We are very optimistic. Support is growing nationally and

regionally. The latest opinion poll puts us on track to win a seat at

the European elections, that would be me, the first parliamentarian in

this region. We're the party of the future and I think everybody in

their hearts knows that. When they hear is talking about community

renewable energies schemes they understand we combine fairness and

at the logical sanity. Thank you. Peter, you have solar farms in your

constituency. What is your opinion? There is a controversial application

at the moment. I don't think the council really have the right to

turn it down. Where do you stand? I think it's a load of rubbish. They

are only there because of the subsidy which puts everyone's

electricity prices up. Totally the wrong idea. But if there are

community 's electricity prices up. Totally the wrong idea. But if there

are communities that do want them and local councils want them, that's

fine. But if the local residents don't want them, they should not be

allowed. Should the planning rules be strengthened? We've seen all this

with wind farms, they are going up everywhere despite what local

communities are saying. The government has changed that, they

should shade —— change the same rules the solar panels. Gillian,

where do you stand? Food security or nuclear energy? I don't think that

you are opposed. We've seen energy prices rocketing up because of gas

prices. As a country, we cannot see our prices going up because of

international prices. I do think solar power has a part to play. But

I'm taken by the idea that the community should benefit if they are

something nearby. That would be a sensible way to go. Overall, that

would be better for the communities, for the country,

because we could generate more of our own energy. Do you think the

energy laws should be changed? I would like to see the local people

benefiting more. Peter, it seems that because the tariffs are being

cut, the farms have to be bigger and bigger. Where do you stand on that?

If he thinks that such a good idea, why subsidise them? They are only

being built because of subsidies. We should be looking at other sources.

Why not look at fracking? Wind farms and now old hat because people have

realised people do not want them and they are inefficient. Now, they have

switched to solar farms. But we have to reach these new route ——

renewable targets. Well, I don't think we should because they are

putting prices up. I'm afraid Peter is wrong, they are not pushing

energy prices up. It is the increasing cost of gas around the

world that is increasing prices. There are subsidies for renewable

energy because we have to get that going as an alternative to gas. If

you look at projections of what is happening to prices without this,

you will have problems. Fracking has huge risks, we don't know how much

it will generate and cost. We have to have a share of renewables. He

seriously banks solar panels are going to do the trick. What about

the visual impact? I think there are visual concerns about any of these

schemes, where it is fracking as solar or wind or anything else. We

will talk about fracking another day.

The conference season is well and truly underway. This week sees the

mid——— the Lib Dems meeting in Glasgow. They are stuck around 10%

in the opinion polls and there is concern about them being in the

coalition. So we went to Cambridge to see what people there make of the

party now. A lot of people who would support the Lib Dems have seen their

colour tone from yellow to a kind of yellow—blue. I don't think it is a

party anymore. They have just merged into the back seats of the

Conservatives. I think they are doing a lot better than the Tories

Labour can do. Labour have said a lot of things. RMP has got a bicycle

scheme in Cambridge which is fantastic. I think the whole point

of the coalition government was that it was a very hard choice to make.

If we hadn't made it we would have been running away. There were tough

decisions to make. Before he headed north, Nick Clegg had time to talk

to us about those views. Of course some people won't like the fact that

we went into a coalition in the first place and will be entitled to

that view. But I think quite a few other people are developing a

grudging respect that we have stuck with it and that that is why the

economy is starting to recover. If we had buckled and you turned like

our critics said we would, the economy would be in a greater mass

and we would have fewer new jobs. So I'm very proud of that. And I'm

proud of what we've delivered for the people in the East of England?

Fairer taxes, more apprenticeships, better pensions. These are great

achievements of which I am proud. Julian we better give you the first

word. I don't think it is true that we have merged into the back—seat of

the Tory party. Part of a coalition is compromise. It is not an easy

time. I would not have chosen now to be in government. When we came in to

government, for every £4 the government was spending it was

borrowing one of them. Gordon Brown doubled income tax. We've done a

whole range of things with promoting Civil Liberties, making

apprenticeships, stopping the extremes of the conservative

parties. For example, the proposals to stop under 25 is from getting

housing benefit. It is important we are protected that. Peter, you are

not thrilled, but your party did not win the last election. Well, we

could have governed as a minority party, which would have been my

interest. But arguably the two leaders came together because of the

enormous mess Labour left doesn't. My argument is that now that Labour

—— the crisis is over, there is no reason for the party to be joined

together with the Lib Dems. I don't think we are joined together, I

think we are separate parties. There is an —— there are a number of

issues that I want to get to. I'm proud of many things that we have

been able to do. The huge increase in apprenticeships, for example, the

transport schemes, there is a huge range of things.

The nights are drawing in, but let's remember those sunny summer days in

our 62nd political round—up. —— 60 second. This summer 's exam

results were cause for celebration according to Southend's MP. Will she

congratulate all Southend schools for its wonderful results? That old

chestnut again. Another Essex MP put on a display at his local summer

carnival. It was the roads themselves on the mind of Norfolk MP

George Freeman, particularly the development of the a 47. The 847 is

a key economic artery. And the summers delight at the Royal

birth prompted a debate in the house where one MP warned that not

everyone is rosy for George. He will be a public figure. In some

respects, children born into the Royal family are the least fortunate

in society. Clearly, not quite as famous as

Prince George, but you two are in the public eye. Is it a blessing or

a burden? Well, to be an MP is a huge blessing and you extra ——

accept all the scrutiny that goes with it. I don't think either of us

could think of something we would rather do. It is hard work to be in

the public eye but I don't think many people would agree with that

suggestion that Prince George is the least forced Jeanette —— fortunate.

I think many people would be happy to is —— to swap to have that

lifestyle. Immensely privileged. Absolutely. He was making a point.

You can't take it literally. We will have to leave it there. Thank you

both very much. That's over now. As always, you can keep in touch via

our website always, you can keep in touch via

more than pay is going up. Which deserves a programme all to itself.

In a moment, more from our political Good afternoon. Nick Clegg says

victory for either the Conservatives Good afternoon. Nick Clegg says

or labour at the next election would put at risk the economic recovery

is. Speaking in Glasgow at the Liberal Democrat annual conference,

he said a coalition would allow Liberal Democrat annual conference,

party to balance politics and enable the government to finish the job of

repairing the economy fairly. It is my genuine belief that if we go

repairing the economy fairly. It is coalition and Islands politics,

repairing the economy fairly. It is dominating blood on their own, you

will get a recovery which is neither fair nor sustainable. Labour would

wreck the recovery, and under the fair nor sustainable. Labour would

same commitment to fairness as ours, you would get the wrong kind

Two 19-year-old woman arrested after a stabbing on Thursday have been

released without charge. Police a stabbing on Thursday have been

trying to discover if there is a link between the killing and a fire

four hours later in which four Five people are being questioned in

connection with that blaze. A Syrian government minister has described

the agreement drawn up by America country's chemical weapons as a

The minister claims the deals helps the Syrians out of a crisis and

others war. The US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Israel to

brief the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on the proposal. China

and France have also welcomed the deal, which says Syria has until

Friday to submit a competence of list of its chemical stockpile.

Britain's Mo Farah has missed out on winning his first half marathon

Britain's Mo Farah has missed out on He was taking part in the Great

North Run between Newcastle and South Shields. Farrar, who was the

favourite following his two gold Ethiopian's can mean many Serb

favourite following his two gold Kenenisa Bekele in a sprint finish.

A carnival atmosphere for the start was about the challenge. For others,

walking it, so I have no time in simply dressing up for fun. I am

walking it, so I have no time in mind. I just want to enjoy it and

appreciate the crowds and have a fantastic time. For elite athletes,

today's race was about who would be first over the line. Despite the

wind and rain, large crowds turned out for the world's most popular

half marathon, which attracts some of the finest women runners, two,

including the Kenyan. There were high hopes for Britain's double

Olympic champion Mo Farah, but after Shields, he was narrowly beaten

Ethiopian's Kenenisa Bekele. It Shields, he was narrowly beaten

thought I would come back and close the gap slowly. I managed to close

it a little bit, but you can't take away what he has. Wheelchair athlete

David Weir won his race for a fourth time. More than £200 million has

been raised since the Great North That is it for now. There will be

more news on BBC One at 6:35pm. So, did anything happen while we

were away this summer? I thought heading now? Who better to answer

than the best political panel we could cobble together for a tenner?

Putting foreign affairs to one side for a moment, it seems that what

happened mystically was that it became more apparent that some sort

of recovery was underway at last, and that Mr Miliband still has not

yet resonated with the British public. These things are a problem

for Labour. Ed Miliband's mistake over the summer holiday was to take

a summer holiday. And it looked over the summer holiday was to take

the rest of the Labour Party had taken one too. They were not finding

issues they could make their own. The only person who made an impact

was Stella Creasy on online abuse. That is a huge problem, and it is

partly down to the fact that there is this intense message discipline.

They don't want to say anything is this intense message discipline.

of line until they have got all their ducks in a row. It makes the

party do at the moment. The terms of party do at the moment. The terms of

trade have swung in David Cameron's favour, but the political rhetoric

look at this headline from the is still with Mr Miliband. Let's

look at this headline from the Sunday Telegraph. That headline

might not be right, but the story is significant in that Mr Cameron is

still in danger on his right flank significant in that Mr Cameron is

doesn't need an enormous share of the vote to get an overall majority?

Westminster group think. Of course Ed Miliband is in trouble. The

Tories are reserved and. They are better organised, the economy is

recovering. That poses difficulties for Labour, but if you look at what

is happening on the ground, UKIP still pose a danger to Cameron.

is happening on the ground, UKIP don't need to poll 15% in a lot

is happening on the ground, UKIP those marginal seats, they just

is happening on the ground, UKIP to get five or 6% of the vote, and

that could potentially destroy the Tory lead. Lots of commentators

that could potentially destroy the to say, this guy will never be prime

minister, but it is possible that by default or by accident, in a very

Miliband could end up as prime minister. It is still all to play

for on both sides. If UKIP remains a threat to the Tory right flank and

the Tories themselves are not really a national party any more, I am

the Tories themselves are not really they will only target a few seats in

Scotland, they don't get any big seats in the big cities of the north

any more, they don't get the Ulster vote they used to get, so it is

possible that Labour, which is more nationally based and has seats in

the Midlands and the north and in Wales, so they could get in. I

agree. The advantage of having a bad summer is that Ed Miliband can go to

expectations. All he has to do is not dribble on the lectern, and

expectations. All he has to do is will be written up as spectacular.

expectations. All he has to do is He might not even use a lectin.

position. The electoral vagaries of the system work in his favour. He

still has a narrow poll lead, he is not out of the game at all. Of the

three main party leaders, the only one who can be confident about being

three main party leaders, the only in government after 2015 is Nick

electorally. But if it is this bad for Labour at the moment, what will

it be like if this recovery turns out to be real? It depends how much

they succeed. Chuka Umunna was shifting the debate are living

standards. They don't want to keep arguing about who called it right.

Do people feel richer than they arguing about who called it right.

in 2010? The data suggests that people don't feel richer than in

2010. Because they are not.That people don't feel richer than in

the basis on which Labour will fight the next election. It is clear that

Labour are unclear on what to say or do next. They have just got to hope

and pray that the economy is not as soundly based as it appears to be

and that George Osborne is Tony Barber, who thought he fixed the

just before the next crash. There are all sorts of uncertainties

just before the next crash. There China, the bond market, the housing

bubble might be blown up, and Labour just had to hope something goes

wrong for Osborne. Chuka Umunna just had to hope something goes

he would not get rid of help to just had to hope something goes

There are all these criticisms about just had to hope something goes

artificial schemes pumping up house prices, but he would not say that.

It is tortuous. You see this again and again. When asked if Labour

would repeal the bedroom tax, or the same thing with Royal Mail, it

happens again. They will be falling on people who have not had a meal in

coming out of the Labour Party. There is a kind and Gillette in

coming out of the Labour Party. them to a politician's career. When

they are under attack for a long time, the media get bored after

they are under attack for a long while and switch the story. It

happened to Osborne, who had a horrific 2012 and has recovered

bad press as he is getting at the moment, because people find it

tedious. Syria has been the big foreign-policy event this summer. It

has remarkably led to a Soviet- American initiative to get Syria to

give up its chemical weapons. The world will now expect the Assad

regime to live up to its public commitments. As I said at the outset

anything less than full compliance. John Kerry. Is this too good to

anything less than full compliance. true? Even superficially, it is

anything less than full compliance. very good. The only people who

emerge with any sense of triumph are the Russians, who have had their

emerge with any sense of triumph are biggest diplomatic coup. They are

back on the stage again. B if you want to know why Putin even has

back on the stage again. B if you because of moments like this. They

were humiliated after the end of the Cold War, and a Nou Camp is a great

power again. Then you have the Obama situation, because he has ended

power again. Then you have the Obama where he wanted to end up. He has

power again. Then you have the Obama concession from Syria, but the way

he got there was so embarrassing. It concession from Syria, but the way

made him look weak and erratic as a leader. There were contradictions

between himself and his Secretary of State last week, and it has not

between himself and his Secretary of him any good. I was in the States,

and it was open season on him. I have never understood the idea of

chemical weapons as a red line when you can massacre people in their

thousands through other means. But chemical weapons are beyond the

pale. The rebels are miserable. chemical weapons are beyond the

have run out of time. I will have to ask you what you think about Syria

next week, which gives you time ask you what you think about Syria

prepare. Your book on Fred the shred is going well? It is.I am back

tomorrow at noon with the Daily Politics at noon on BBC Two, where

we will have more from the Liberal Democrat conference in Glasgow.

we will have more from the Liberal is the start of our Daily Politics

conference coverage. Next week, is the start of our Daily Politics

will be back here at our normal is the start of our Daily Politics

of 11am, when we will be joined is the start of our Daily Politics

Grant Shapps. Remember, if it is Sunday, it is the Sunday Politics.