If I vote for you in Crosby, will I end up with a Tory government?

3.11.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 30th Apr 2005

In a word: No.

Voting Liberal Democrat in Crosby will not get the Tories into Downing Street

Tony Blair and his colleagues are trying to create the impression that voting Liberal Democrat could let Michael Howard and the Tories in to Number 10 by the back door. However, a study carried out for The Independent concluded such an outcome would be "virtually impossible".

Speaking to The Guardian newspaper about this latest campaigning tactic by Blair's party, Charles Kennedy said: "I just think it's pathetic, that there you are in the government, eight years in office, parliamentary majorities in three figures, a benign economic situation, and what's the most positive thing you can say to people who are a bit disillusioned: don't vote Lib Dem or you might get the Tories."

Jim Murray, Liberal Democrat candidate for Crosby constituency, said "I'm standing in this election on a Liberal Democrat platform. I would be very disappointed if by doing so I helped return a Tory government, but all the signs are that this is just not going to happen. A vote for me is a vote to scrap tuition fees, introduce free personal care for the elderly, and to spend money on more police on the beat rather than on identity cards. It is not a vote to make Michael Howard Prime Minister."

Related Link:

Vote for Lib Dems will not let in Tories (The Independent, 30/04/05).