15/09/2013 Sunday Politics North East and Cumbria

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

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 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

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 Out of the classroom and out

exploring in the rain, a new school and a new term for these children.

This Academy has just opened. Being close to nature is at the centre of

much of what it does. That freedom is gets a parents and teachers. I

love the fact that it is outdoor learning and they treat teachers

as... They do all sorts. It is very imaginative. They didn't know which

staff would be employed here, I think we can confidently say that we

have 150 people interested next year and that we will take our phone

number. For some, free schools are also a chance to end the monopoly

that councils have traditionally had an education at local level. No

longer have we got to worry about what the local authority provides,

we can now have parents choosing for themselves to open, to bring about

new educational provision and other parents will choose whether they

want to take part. It will drag any standard up, but it will hopefully

also raise the standards of the existing local authority educational

provision. Since the introduction, free schools have sprung up around

the country, including in the region. So far, five have opened in

the north—east, including three this month in Newcastle, Darlington and

Durham. Three more in the pipeline, including one in Cumbria and edgy to

open next year. Free schools aren't free from controversy. Critics argue

they will create more chaos in the classroom. Many free schools rely

exclusively almost on the commitment of individual parents, which is fine

while they are in the school, but begs the question about long—term

sustainability. One of the things that we will see is a number of free

schools close after a few years because there is not the same level

of parental interest that there was at the outset. That means that we

will have to pick up the pieces. Netted that oppositions to free

schools that is causing concern. Recently, Labour's education

spokesman said there would be no more free schools if his party gets

into power at the next general election and that bad news for

people hoping to open a free school in this field. Plans the school in

Teeside have been delayed by planning difficulties. Parents are

determined to make it happen, but unless it gets off the ground soon,

there are fears it may not do so. We have spent three years working on

this and it would be devastating, not just to ask, but to the entire

community and the children and young people in our community for us to

lose the school, regardless what the cause of losing it was, whether it

is a change of Government or whether we cannot establish a site. The

children attending them may be oblivious to the controversy but are

happy to sing along. With more free schools on the way, the spat over

what they will mean for education in the wrong run would end when the

singing is over when the children go home.

Some teaching unions still maintain a dim view of free schools. One of

those is the NASUWT and its North East regional organiser Simon

Kennedy is here now. You may not like these, but evidence is that

parents do. It is just the educational establishment that has

tried to stop them happening. I don't think that is the case. All of

the service show that what parents want is a good, local school. That

is what local authorities are delivering, time and again. That is

what they are providing and these schools are unnecessary, they are

very expensive and economic elite unjustifiable. They also don't have

any proven track record. They have hardly started. Why if all of the

schools are fantastic, we know some fail, why parents setting them up?

—— why are parents. Durham free schools were set up on a site of a

school that had to stop providing education for 11 to 16 as there was

not allow children to justify it. The two local schools that are

closest to it are both outstanding, one is the third best state school

in the country... The point is they should have nothing to fear. They

could school... A good school will survive. It is about improving the

standard of education. This is about increasing competition, competition

does not drive up standards. Where is your evidence? In Sweden, where

this idea came from, they rolled back from the free schools because

the competition actually created social division, Durham

University's local recent... Sorry. We have to leave it there anyway.

Nick Brown, Labour has made a mistake over this. They should just

admit defeat. Yellow mac I don't agree, my responsibility as a Member

of Parliament is to represent the interest of all of the parent and

all of the children, not just some of them, the school system has to

work for everyone who is in it. For the children that are going to come

into it and it has two have delivered for the youngsters who

have left and are starting their way in the world. This suggestion of

exceptionalism, that some people should have something different and

separate and in their own minds better, at the expense of the others

and does not seem right. Allenby, the Liberal Democrats are a

bit conflicted. The rank and file don't like it, what would you do if

a group of parents came to you and said we want to set up this school?

I would tell them what processes were and give them advice on how to

use what is available. Coalition policy is a compromise, we got

something that mattered to us which was the pupil premium to channel

more money into schools. What would you say... I did, for example in the

past when parents wanted to use a different system, I gave them the

advice. I recognise that the way you have this parental backing and

parental enthusiasm, this is something that you do want is to

harness into education and if if you free schools can demonstrate things

that the state system needs to learn, we can take a reasonably

tolerant attitude towards it. Especially, as at the same time, we

are achieving things we wanted in education. It does not answer any

question. There are 2000, just over 2000, surplus places in the school

system, the secondary school system, and 2500 in the primary

school system. How can creating an extra school so that? Labour is in a

bit of a mess, because it has led parents lead academies. It sounds

like a free school. We are going to have to take the system as we find

it and the last thing wants to do is to disrupt the education of

youngsters. But parents...As they go through school, but the problem

in Newcastle is that there are surplus places, there's not a need

for more schools, it is making sure that the existing ones deliver for

all of the children in the city. That will be our focus and our

priority. Now, I bet at some point over the

summer you were crying out for a concise and witty 60 second summary

of the week's political news. Well, wipe your eyes, we're back and your

wish is our command. Ian Lavery has warned his party

could face financial meltdown if it breaks the traditional links with

the unions. He says Ed Miliband's proposals are ill thought through.

Paul Butler will be the new Bishop of Durham, his predecessor became

Archbishop of Canterbury, no pressure there.

Cumbria's hospitals have been given action money to help them...

Hospitals across the North is like in other parts of the country are

facing considerable pressure on the accident and emergency departments.

Did the sexiest date set out —— Secretary of State set out the

thinking on this hash—2—mac District will now the final say on

plans and previous bid been blocked by the County Council.

One executive spent £715 for a cab to take him and his cat to the

airport, not the usual kind, expenses kitty. If my cat is

watching, the bus is good enough for you. Nick Brown, were talking about

union funding, you were a member of the GMP, we do more than more than

£1 million from your party this week because of this discussion about

union links. Do you think they were right to do so? Yellow mac it is a

question for them. You must have an opinion. It is their money. What

they have actually done is the money is expressed as the weekly levy that

the members pay. For the GMP, it is three weeks in a year and they have

reduced it to two. That is what has happened. The money goes to a

general fund. I don't think it is coming... I think they are saying

that they will put more money into general fund and less money into the

political fund and that is a decision for the unions. Let's talk

about Labour, are Ed Miliband's proposed reforms of the trade union

links ill thought out? I don't know what they are, so it is early to say

that they are ill thought out. They said that he wants to see more

people paying the political levy joining in on the activities of

individual members of the Labour Party, I agree. I would like to see

that. Exactly how he intends to do it, I am unsure as I have not seen

the proposal. Alan, should people be worried about this? The Labour

leader was chosen by a trade union. I think people want big money taken

out of politics. That's it from us. Don't forget if

you have views on anything we've discussed today you can let rip by

posting them to me on Twitter. The details are on the screen now. Next

week, we'll be hearing from Labour leader Ed Miliband, and discussing

whether Middlesbrough really needs another Ray Mallon. Could be lively.

Now though, it's back to Andrew. 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.