David Cameron is no threat says Kennedy

9.42.55am GMT Thu 8th Dec 2005

"Clear differences between Lib Dems and David Cameron" - Kennedy

Charles Kennedy has denied the election of David Cameron as Conservative leader could threaten his position.

The Lib Dem leader dismissed claims a resurgent Conservative Party would raise doubts about his claim to be the real alternative to Labour. He said he was leading his party in a united direction and warned his critics not to get "too carried away".

Mr Kennedy told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning (Thurs 8th Dec) that there were real policy differences between him and Mr Cameron on issues such as the Iraq war, university tuition fees and the environment.

"You will see very clear differences of policy and of substance between ourselves and the Conservatives," he said. "The one policy decision on Europe that the new (Conservative) leader has announced is that they're going to withdraw their British MEPs from the Conservative grouping in the European Parliament, so that's an isolationist approach and that's not the real world. And Mr Cameron doesn't share with us opposition to tuition fees." Said Mr Kennedy.