Liberal Democrat leader vows to "break the two-party system"

9.11.22am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 7th Jan 2008

On all of the big issues, we have been well ahead of the pack - Nick Clegg

Nick Clegg, the new Liberal Democrat leader, has vowed to "break the two-party system" in UK politics. Speaking on Sky News' Sunday Live show Mr Clegg said he believed 2008 would be the "crucial year" to restore his party's fortunes and we are on the way to reinventing politics. The days of two-party politics are numbered." Mr Clegg added: "I have set a very clear long-term objective which is that I want to see us over the next two elections break the two-party system for good, establish three-party politics for good."

"The Liberal Democrats had a record of being credible and honest on issues which are unpopular and difficult for the other parties to deal". He cited tax, immigration, civil liberties, the environment and Iraq war as examples of such matters.

"On all of the big issues which have dominated British politics in the last few years, we have been well ahead of the pack or we have been prepared to say things that the other parties haven't dared to say," Mr Clegg said. "I think you will see more of that in the months to come."

The Lib Dem leader recently declared he does not believe in God and has insisted that he would always be prepared to give "clear and candid" responses to legitimate questions. Discussing his willingness to declare his lack of religious faith, he said: "I think the days where politicians tiptoe round issues because they are considered to be somehow no-go areas politically... I think many people find that tantamount to evasion, which I think is something many people don't react to well."