Osborne defection targeting will fail

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Mar 2007

Responding to George Osborne's remarks that he has attempted 'conversations' with Liberal Democrat MPs on the issue of defection, Liberal Democrat Party President, Simon Hughes MP said:

"George Osborne can deceive himself that senior members of other parties are just waiting to join him, but I can assure him he will be disappointed.

"Unlike Labour and the Conservatives who are divided over Iraq, Trident and constitutional reform, the Liberal Democrats are united and effective on all major policy areas at home and abroad.

"Last week we had a huge local election success against Labour, and in May we expect further gains from both Labour and the Conservatives.

"The Conservatives have almost no policies. When they do announce a policy it comes unstuck within days. On most of the big issues they either agree with the Government or, as with the budget, miss the principal target.

"A united Liberal Democrat party will continue to take on the Conservatives across England, Scotland and Wales."