Lib-Dem alliance betrays voters, Left tells Blair

LEFT-WINGERS today demanded a meeting with Tony Blair over claims he is betraying voters by handing Paddy Ashdown's Liberal Democrats extended influence on Government policy.

With the Lib-Dems Labour's main political enemies in many areas, there is concern in both parties at the closer relationship forged between the two.

In a joint signed statement, they said existing co-operation on constitutional issues in a Cabinet committee will be extended to cover other areas - although stressing the parties would still fight one another in elections. Among the issues due to be discussed between senior representatives from both parties today were welfare reform, Europe, Parliamentary change and perhaps some other aspects of policies such as education. While many applaud the move towards ending "destructive tribal- ism", many at Westminster are unhappy - not least senior Labour figures who believe Mr Ashdown enjoys better access to Mr Blair than they do. There was also speculation that the move is aimed at saving the Lib-Dem leader's skin for failing to persuade the Prime Minister of a swift move toward PR voting reform. The Leftwing Socialist Campaign Group - a small but vocal group said it would seek to discuss with Mr Blair how Labour's commitments as a "democratic socialist party" could now be adhered to. It appeared easier for politicians opposed to the Government to get jobs in power than for party members themselves, they claimed. Ken Livingstone - embroiled in a clash with the party leadership over the battle to become London's first directly-elected mayor asked why, if Labour could reach out to Lib-Dems, "can't it be as tolerant with its own party members?" After meeting at Westminster, the group accused Mr Blair of trying to move towards a "Government of national unity". It attacked the lack of consultation with MPs, the NEC or the party before the surprise announcement and accused the Prime Minister of being willing to "trade Labour votes for an alliance with the Liberal Democrats". It said: "The Labour Government has no mandate to enter into coalition politics with other parties. The overwhelming mandate Labour received at the last election was to govern Britain on this basis, not to trade Labour votes for an alliance with the Liberal Democrats." Tory deputy leader Peter Lilley said the move was a clear signal that the Lib-Dems had sold out to Labour. It is another front on which Mr Blair is having to fight, as well as the selection battles involving Mr Livingstone in London and maverick MPs Dennis Canavan and Rho-dri Morgan to halt their ambitions in Scotland and Wales. They have accused him of being a "control freak" and using strong- arm tactics to maintain a tight grip on party management.

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