Lib Dem leader criticises Gordon Brown over centralisation and authoritarianism

2.39.45pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 16th Sep 2006

No change if Brown becomes Prime Minister saysSir Menzies Campbell

Writing in the Guardian Newspaper, Sir Menzies Campbell, the Lib Dem leader said, "The approach was unlikely to change if Mr Brown was prime minister, the Lib Dem leader told the Guardian. He said: "There is no reason to suggest a Prime Minister Brown would depart from the centralisation and authoritarianism which we have seen." Sir Menzies said the chancellor had a "statist" approach, and added: "I wonder whether the prime minister, left to his own devices, might not have taken a different one."

He also attacked the chancellor's means-tested working families tax credit for its effect on poorer people. Commenting on the working families tax credit, Sir Menzies said: "That is dynamite. That is wrecking their lives. "How many hundred days is it since the chancellor himself answered any questions about it? He must take responsibility."