Labour and Tories stand for "corrupt politics" - Clegg

Nick Clegg has used his strongest language yet to attack both the Conservatives and Labour, saying a vote for either of them is a vote for "corrupt politics".

The Liberal Democrat leader denounced both parties equally as he struggles to counter reports that in the event of a hung parliament he will shore up one or other of the other parties who have not managed to get an overall majority.

Clegg's grassroots members are suspicious of their party high command's resolve not to form a coalition government. But Clegg uses an interview today on the BBC's Hard Talk programme to publish a list of "progressive" policies Labour and the Tories have blocked.

He says: "A vote for Labour or the Conservatives is a vote for corrupt politics. A vote for Labour or the Conservatives is a vote for tax dodgers in politics. A vote for letting guilty MPs off the hook. A vote for an unfair voting system."

The Lib Dems have listed the areas in which they regard Labour and the Tories to have reneged on pledges. On the Tories, they say: "David Cameron talks about change, but none of the Conservative MPs who avoided capital gains tax or made huge profits flipping their homes were forced to resign. He promised to give people the right to sack corrupt MPs but then the Conservatives voted against a law that would do just that. They have made it clear they will block attempts to make the voting system fair. They walked out on cross-party talks on party funding and refused to cap donations."

Regarding Labour they say: "Labour promised to clean up politics and make it fair but they failed. They wouldn't even push through reform after the expenses scandal. They went back on their promise to change the voting system.

"They failed to make the House of Lords elected and accountable to voters. They failed to clean up party funding because they rely on the unions. And they blocked attempts to give people the right to sack corrupt MPs. Labour will never change the political system."

The Lib Dem leader said yesterday on BBC's World at One that he was not the "kingmaker" who will decide whether Labour or the Tories rule in the event of a hung parliament. He said there would be no "backroom deals" ahead of the election, even if it seems no single party is on course to win a Commons majority.

At the weekend the prime minister lavished praise on the Liberal Democrats, while before Christmas Cameron made another overture to the Lib Dems, highlighting areas of agreement between their parties on issues ranging from constitutional reform to civil liberties.

The Guardian Wednesday 6 January 2010