Lib dems are 'new loony left', says IDS

The Liberal Democrats are the new 'Loony Left' of British politics, according to Iain Duncan Smith.

The Liberal Democrats are the new 'Loony Left' of British politics, according to Iain Duncan Smith.

In a speech to the Carlton Club political dinner at London's Dorchester Hotel, the Tory leader promised a "major campaign" to highlight his contention that Mr Kennedy's party is not a moderate one.

He told his audience that the Liberal Democrats' true face was on display during their campaigning for last week's Brent East by-election, which they won from Labour on a 29% swing.

Mr Duncan Smith said: "On Saturday I made a strong attack on the Liberal Democrats. It wasn't a tactic in response to Brent, but the beginning of a major campaign. A campaign we will take to every doorstep in Britain ... the Liberal Democrats are not moderates.

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"In Brent, they campaigned on a platform of anti-Americanism and even higher public spending. At their conference this week, they are voting to abolish the monarchy, ban smacking and impose compulsory sex education for seven year-olds.

"They've moved from weak Left to loony Left. Red Kennedy isn't an alternative to Tony Blair - he's his echo.

"Mr Blair is soft on soft drugs - Mr Kennedy is soft on hard drugs too. He wants higher taxes, weaker asylum rules, fewer burglars in prison and an end to our national currency."