15/09/2013 Sunday Politics Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

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

say. We will decide depending on the Reds or the blues? Lib Dem

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

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

the party, no matter what they do. 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, 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

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. that is true. Nick Clegg 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.

in my leadership, too. The manifesto form before the party for decision.

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 the middle of his speech. But it was

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 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 he likes Ed Miliband and he does not

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 Maxis and Stalin. But if it had

left others to make sure that we 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 the chaser party, taking the edge

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

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

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

to the centre. The something not 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 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.

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

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. the problems we have seen. Our

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 2012. Our economy has flat lined

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

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

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 towards. Your party conference is

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 buy it back? That would be

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 off

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

pledge to renationalise Royal Mail would be like writing a blank

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

know more about these things, say it would not happen, so why not do 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 this. For me to pledge to

renationalise it now this. For me to pledge to

writing a bank cheque . We are going to be a fiscally responsible

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

Good afternoon. You are watching the up in 20 minutes,

Good afternoon. You are watching the Sunday Politics for Yorkshire and

Lancashire. Coming up today: The Government's foreign aid budget is

under fire again, this time from a Tory councillor who is suffering

from terminal cancer. Nick Clegg tells us that there will be no

change of policy. Our guests today by the Labour MP

for Bradford South, the Conservative MP for Calder Valley, and in our

Glasgow studio is the Liberal Democrat MP for Surrey East —— a

local area. What is at stake. What is at stake? We have had more press

interest than ever before. There are a thousand members of the press.

They will certainly be looking for, as we always do at conferences, they

will be looking for divisions and arguments because that is the stuff

of the media, but there are some great debates, some great meetings,

and I am really looking forward to it. Have you got your kilt?To draft

the! —— too much wind! What are you going to do when Ed Miliband's

conference gets under way? Well, they are now showcases about putting

leaders and their point of view forward. We're going to put out

where we are heading. And Cameron and Osborne are trying to flag up

every bit of good news on the economy now. Is there a danger that

complacency could start to creep in? Adult think so. From what we

have seen of what the Government has done over the past few months, I

think we will see that the Conservative party conference, we

will seek manifesto announcements about what we're going to put

forward, hopefully becoming the next Conservative Government in this

country. One of the big talking point of the summer has been the

billions of pounds the Government spends on overseas aid. Yorkshire

's's you catch MEP, Godfrey Bloom, apologise for any offence he may

have caused after he suggested that this country should not be sending

money to "bongo bongo land" . But today we have a very different

perspective on that debate from a Conservative councillor in

Lincolnshire who is suffering from terminal cancer. He believes the

foreign aid budget would be better spent here on the NHS.

Conservative councillor Chris Underwood has been fighting a 15

year battle with cancer which started on his skin but has now

spread to his brain. He has nothing but praise for the medical staff who

have treated him, but he says he is angry that billions of pounds worth

of taxpayers money is being spent on overseas aid. It is far better that

we spend any money in this country to prop up the NHS, to keep people

alive and unfortunately, I am now terminal and therefore, I think that

some of this overseas money should be spent here for people, especially

to make sure that people can be treated locally. The Government is

committed to spending 0.7% of our national income on overseas aid.

That had up to around £11 billion per year. A controversial figure

that has attracted some controversial criticism. And how we

can possibly be given £1 billion a month when we are in this sort of

debt to "bongo bongo land" is completely beyond me... UKIP MEP

Godfrey Bloom was last month forced to defend his "bongo bongo land"

comments. But the road reopened the debate about the Government's moral

duty to spend money on less fortunate parts of the world. In

this country, we are in serious problems. And when we have certain

problems, nobody seems to put their hand in their pocket to give us any

money. Here we are with places like India who are seriously financing

their own budgets for their own space race and all that sort of

thing. I put the points made by Chris Underwood to the Deputy Prime

Minister. On the overseas aid budget, can you understand why many

people believe that that money should be spent at home? Of course I

understand it. It is significant. It means that we try and help other

countries dealing with poverty, violence, extremism, and conflict

which in turn creates a much more stable world, and also means that

people are encouraged to stay at home rather than move across

continents and borders. It is a subject that polarises opinion but

despite the Government's arguments, there will be many who insist that

charity should begin at home. Craig Whitaker, is it right that the

Government continues to ring fence the overseas aid budget? Yes, it is.

I think we should be incredibly proud that as a nation we do that.

Takes area for example. We currently have 1 million children living in

tents, we have for the million women and elderly people as well. If one

of the five most powerful nations on earth cannot help those people, then

who is going to do it? So, we should be incredibly proud that as a

nation, we are stepping up well above are punching weight in this

area. Would you like to see a future Labour Government matchless? ——

match this? It was actually the Labour Government that brought in

the 0.7%. But we have a leading role to play. I think it helps those

countries to be more stable. But there is also a moral duty in terms

of our influences in parts of the world —— in terms of as having a lot

of influence over the world and we should be able to help it. The major

countries finance this in a way that is acceptable so that more aid can

go into more areas. David Ward, can we justify giving aid to countries

like India that have a space programme? That I was Chris, I would

probably feel exactly the same. You have to understand the position that

he's in, or indeed a member of your family or a loved one. But if

charity begins at home, where is home? Is at looking after myself, is

it my family, is it my street? Is it Bradford, is that this country, or

is that the world? And we are all citizens of the world. And if you go

out into the street and asked ten people that the priority should be

for one person, that would be education or, now, spend it on

transport, now, spend it on health. And I am proud that in a very

difficult time for the country in economic terms that it has managed

to keep this going. It goes back for decades, to the 70s. Craig Whitaker,

you might not have agreed with the language he used, but when Godfrey

Bloom talked about sending money to "bongo bongo land", he hit a chord

with many people and I am assuming many people in your constituency

would have agreed. It is just politics, isn't it? He is using that

particular section of the constituency. The reality is that

the average British person, when they see what is happening in places

like Syria, and we have had the debate about Syria in Parliament,

one thing that everyone has said in the letters I have received from my

constituents is, "let's get involved in humanitarian aid. " And we are

punching above our weight of the country in that area, and we should

be incredibly proud of what we do. But people are very cynical Arctic,

about how this money is spent. PC despots in Africa buying cars and

watches. —— VCDs despots. —— they see these despots. I think it

depends on how they get the money. I think we are very careful about

making sure the aid goes to the right people. We should be proud of

our country and what we do in the rest of the world, and in areas like

Syria, and another less fortunate countries, this money needs to be

spent otherwise dictators and extremists could take over those

countries. And you are happy, David Ward, when people in your

constituency come to you and ask why the Government is not spending more

on cancer treatment and policing or fixing the roads? You are happy to

say to them that that £11 billion is money well spent on overseas aid? I

would need to make sure it is well spent, and that is the point that is

being made. We cannot waste it. Because of all the pressures that

there are on our public expenditure, it is even more vital now to ensure

that the money spent on foreign aid is done so in the right way and does

not go to the wrong places. Interesting debate. Now, with a

little over 18 months until the next general election, Nick Clegg is

facing a race against time to rebuild support the Liberal

Democrats. Nowhere more so than in his own backyard in Sheffield. There

was such a backlash over his U—turn on student tuition fees they

recently. So, at the Lib Dem party conference, James Vincent looks at

some of the challenges facing the Deputy Prime Minister.

Nick Clegg is a politician facing challenges within his own party, and

in his constituency. As the Lib Dem conference, he has got some

Sheffield voters to win over before the next election. I acknowledge

that both myself and my party has obviously taken a hit because of the

difficult decisions we have taken over the past two years. They are

decisions Mr Clegg has previously apologise for. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

But now he's earned more confident that students themselves understand

why fees were raised —— he says he is. The system is now better

understood. But students might not feel that way. Students do feel

betrayed by neck like. —— betrayed by Nick Clegg. This was a major

source of undergraduate anger, but it looks like there is a new source

of anger. I think Nick Clegg might be in for a little shock. We have

not forgotten the fees, and the new proposal to bring in a £200,000 levy

for international agency use the NHS amongst other measures against

international students will prove extremely unpopular not just with

students, but with the City as a whole. There are also issues within

the party. This Bradford East MP was suspended by the Lib Dems for

putting a statement on his website at using what he referred to as "the

Jews" in Israel inflicting atrocities on Palestinians every

day. He voted against our existing party policy on tuition fees.

Holding a view contrary to consistent party policy, I am sure

—— I'm not sure why that is an offence that leads to a suspension.

But in any case, I have not said that. I am a little bit unhappy

about that and disappointed, but I hope we can resolve it. As is said

to David, I am not wanting to silence him, and nobody in the

Liberal Democrats wants to. I sure a lot of his sorrow. But is very

important that we make it clear that those criticisms are criticisms of

the Israeli Government and not to somehow paint a whole people, the

Jewish people, with one single brush. That is a very important

distinction which my party, the Liberal Democrats, everyone

connected with us, we felt it was very important. So trouble inside

and outside for the Lib Dems, and perhaps a bumpy road towards the

2015 election for Nick Clegg. OK, David Ward, clarify the

situation. As people watch this programme on Sunday afternoon, I

knew now a Liberal Democrat MP again? Yes. From midnight on last

Friday night. And you are now a proud Liberal Democrats again, and

have been told to keep your eyes shut. I have served my time. I am

suspended for a period of time, that ended on Friday, and I am now back

in the group. Serving time suggests you committed a crime. But you do

not send very sorry for you said. One thing that Nick is very clear

about is that he shares my very, very strong views about the

oppression faced by the Palestinians and somehow we have to resolve it.

At the party conference this week, there is a Lib Dem Friends Of Israel

meeting and I will be looking at the sensitivity of language and how we

can continue to get across the message about the oppression faced

by the Palestinians but in a way which does not lead to such

controversy. So you would now describe yourself as a friend of

Israel? Well, I have always said that I'm a friend of Israel and if I

am critical, I would say that if the Government of Israel is not a friend

of Israel, there are many, many people within Israel who are upset

by the behaviour towards the Palestinians and any true friend of

Israel will be a critic of the Israeli Government. Closer to home,

there is a survey out this week conducted by the Sunday Politics

that suggests that the vast majority of Lib Dem councillors would rather

the party went into coalition with Labour next time and ban the

Conservatives. I don't like coalition governments. I am old

enough to remember the last time it happened. I think that Nick Clegg

has lost the confidence of many of his old supporters and voters, and

it will be difficult for the night to separate themselves from the

Conservative party at that next general election —— difficult for

them. I think we should not be talking about coalitions of the

future. I think the Liberal Democrats have got to restore the

confidence that they can amongst the electorate. So even if the electoral

mathematics stacks up that way, the only way Labour could get back into

power is doing a deal Dems, you would be against that. I

would. The phrase is "over my dead body". I think we need to try and

get our programme through and move on. That is not to say we can find

points of agreement. But we had the European elections next year, and I

think it will be very difficult for the Lib Dems to get back on track

and gather the support that they need. Many Tories now are openly

talking about this coalition continuing after the next general

election. It will be whatever the British public, whatever hand the

deal to the politicians, that'll happen. Personally, I would prefer a

Conservative Government. I am a Conservative MP and that is what I

will fight for. But what you were saying there, you were talking about

the councillors. If you have a look at what liberal photos preferred,

49% of them who were recently surveyed this week said that they

would prefer a coalition with the Tories whereas only 32% said that

they would want to be with Labour. What is the mood there this weekend,

David? Are people still happy with Nick Clegg's leadership? That survey

we have or are programmes suggests that Vince Cable would be the most

popular to take over. I leadership ramblings happening? —— are at their

leadership ramblings happening? I don't think so. We are here until

2015. Nick Clegg is easy just to sit on the opposition

benches, though not of stones across, but we are in the midst of a

terrible economic crisis and we needed a Government. Labour did not

have the numbers and they did not want to come into coalition with us

anyway. Somebody had to form a Government. Coalition politics is

here to say. After the Second World War, 95% of the electorate voted

Labour or Tory. That just does not happen now. We have got coalition

politics possibly for ever, and what we need to do is get better at it.

You would be happy on a personal level to get into bed with Labour?

Well, if there is a hung parliament, there is nothing to stop the

Conservatives and Labour jumping into bed with each other. They have

many views which are similar to each other on many, many issues. So, who

knows what could happen. From my experiences, I see no. And we're not

in the sad place that the Liberal Democrats are in at the moment. And

there will be many people in his party who will be shocked and

saddened by the Liberal Democrats supporting right—wing Conservative

policies. I think the confidence in the Lib Dems has been eroded. Let's

get some more of the week's political news now with our round—up

in 60 seconds. The transport secretary went on a PR

and London will boost the local economy by nearly £2 billion per

year. High—speed two will make Liverpool stronger, lead stronger,

Sheffield stronger. A controversial housing development in North

Yorkshire has been —— been given the go—ahead after a council pressed the

wrong button on an elegant running voting system. The counsellor went

on record opposing the development, but his mistake involved meant

permission was granted. The UKIP leader on Lincolnshire County

Council has been removed. Councillor Payne had earlier been told he would

face police action relating to racist remarks on Facebook. And

unemployment in Yorkshire is the third highest rate in the country at

9%. That went up between May and July.

So, Craig Whittaker, the Government trying to persuade us this week that

the HS two rail project is worth the money. Well basic seed? —— will

basic seed? —— will they succeed? We need capacity on a real waves. We

need that to happen fairly quickly. Both of our main lines are getting

towards full capacity. More people are using the railways and we have

to create some form of capacity. HS2 is the right thing to do. People

will have you think that the cost is too big, but that is not true. We

need it for Yorkshire. And you are not keen on a future Labour

Government scaling back of the project? We understand the need for

infrastructure improvements, but this will take 22 years and we are

not sure about the costs. The Shadow Chancellor has said he is got

concerns about the cost and how they are starting to spiral. And who

knows whether or not in 22 years time that the technology we are

investing in now will be the right one? I am very cautious about it. I

think we need to make sure that northern cities do have the benefit

of infrastructure spending, but I think we must beat. What is your

view on HS2, David Ward? I don't think it should be at the expense of

improving railways generally. I took a six hour train journey from Leeds

to London last week. I was on a six hour journey up to Glasgow from

Bradford this week. That is not good. And if the existing

infrastructure in some way is jeopardising or is not supporting

itself as money is pushed into the project, then that would not be a

good thing. But what we do know is that the Government has announced a

further £35 billion, on top of the first 10 billion, already spent on

current infrastructure. So this is not instead of, it is as well as,

and that is important to remember. But that's millions of pounds of

investment that is going to have one train per hour. I think there is a

lot of work to be done. £35 million. That is not chicken feed. But we

must make sure we get the balance right. Very briefly, I went to ask

you as a former sports minister, argue happy with the World Cup being

held in Qatar? I would rather it had been in England, but I think they

will host. My preference would be for the players and the families

that it should be in the winter and not in the summer, and I hope that

they will look at that again. If it means a Premier League you must be

rescheduled, that not stop it. I do happy to watch football and 50

degrees heat? I grew up in a steely, and I think for the Australian team,

it is vitally important it stays in the summer. —— Australia. And for

Bradford? As you know, during the season, the scarf is a permanent

feature. It does seem to be complete madness and let's hope that good

sense prevails. Thank you all for your time today. Now back to Andrew

deserves a programme all to itself. in London.

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

Good afternoon. Nick Clegg says he said a coalition would allow

Good afternoon. Nick Clegg says 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

Ethiopian's can mean many Serb North Run between Newcastle and

Kenenisa Bekele in a sprint finish. A carnival atmosphere for the start

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

significant in that Mr Cameron is Sunday Telegraph. That headline

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 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

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

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

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 ask you what you think about Syria

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.