Nick Clegg has criticised the Tories for predicting an economic meltdown in Britain if the Conservatives fail to win a full majority. The Lib Dem leader warned that stoking up fear about an even more dire economic situation is “a crude form of blackmail".
As we debate the prospect of a hung Parliament in the run-up to the general election, Clegg’s attack is strong stuff. However, it is also in line with an increasing confidence among Lib Dems to garner support for the party through promoting its economic policy.
A recent Channel 4/YouGov poll revealed that considerably more people (27 per cent) believe that Vince Cable would make the best chancellor compared with any of his opponents. Only 17 per cent said that chancellor Alistair Darling is the most capable candidate leaving shadow chancellor George Osborne to come last with 15 per cent.
However, despite their growing confidence, the Lib Dems should be wary of creating fear. If voters’ concerns about a hung Parliament gain too much of the spotlight, there is a chance that people will be put off casting their vote for the Lib Dems after all.