Nick Clegg accuses Conservatives of 'a crude form of blackmail'

11.32.27am GMT Mon 8th Mar 2010

"David Cameron and George Osborne are stoking up fears in the markets, actively trying to destabilise the pound and reduce the Government's ability to borrow", says the Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Speaking to party workers, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg accused the Conservatives of 'a crude form of blackmail' by encouraging fears of a fall in the stock market.

Nick Clegg said:

"The Conservatives are so desperate that they have resorted to a crude form of blackmail.

"David Cameron and George Osborne are stoking up fears in the markets, actively trying to destabilise the pound and reduce the Government's ability to borrow.

"It's like a protection racket: vote for us or our friends in the City will lay waste to your economy, your savings and your job.

"There is nothing positive in the Conservatives' election strategy. It's built entirely on the hatred of Gordon Brown, stoking up fears of a broken society and now threatening economic meltdown.

"It's a strategy that is completely negative and without hope, and it's becoming increasingly obvious that people aren't going to fall for it."