Kennedy claims 21st century for liberalism

Kennedy claims 21st century for liberalism

Kennedy claims 21st century for liberalism

Liberal Democrats leader Charles Kennedy has declared that the political divide of the 21st century is not between the left and the right wing, but between conservatives and liberals.

In an interview on the Today programme, he argued: “I think the world is moving on in the 21st century and I think we are seeing a re-establishment now of a different divide which isn’t the old fashioned, out of date left/right divide but it is those of us of a liberal disposition and those in either the Conservative or the Labour Parties who take a more conservative position.”

Speaking on BBC Radio Four ahead of a speech later today, Mr Kennedy criticised Labour’s introduction of anti-terror laws, describing many of them as “a knee-jerk reaction to certain tabloid headlines”.

He accused current home secretary David Blunkett and previous home secretary Jack Straw of being “firmly in the conservative camp”, but stressed that tough polices on crime and anti-social behaviour were not the exclusive territory of the Labour and Conservative parties.

Mr Kennedy will later outline his views on the 21st century political landscape in a keynote speech to an audience of Independent readers. He will state that, while the 20th century was characterised by conservatism with a “small c”, the 21st century will be known as the “small l liberal” century.

His vision for the future will involve a more tolerant, “less deferential” society, which embraces differences of sexuality, gender and race.

The Lib Dems are a modern, open-minded party with a clear “philosophy”, rather than “a political approach which leans too much on focus groups”, he will tell the You Ask the Questions event.

At this year’s Lib Dems’ Scottish spring conference, Mr Kennedy unveiled his vision of “tough liberalism”.

The Lib Dems leader has come under fire recently after rumours started to circulate about his allegedly poor health and a possible drink problem.