LibDem Home Affairs spokesman Nick Clegg has made a barnstorming speech to the party conference.
In a wide-ranging address the MP for Sheffield Hallam recalled the liberal ideals of the last 100 years and attempted to put to rest any idea that his party is soft on criminality.
In one of the best conference performances of recent times, Clegg rejected the policy of 'tough liberalism' in favour of practical measures to stop crime.
He cited action taken by LibDem councils like Liverpool, where a sharp drop in burglary has been achieved. Clegg also mocked David Cameron, calling him David 'small c' Cameron, in one of many amusing lines in his address.
Clegg also attacked the government's record, highlighting their erosion of civil liberties and portraying his party as the only one ready to stand up for liberal values.
He said: "I want to rid everyone of the notion that our values give comfort to terrorists and criminals.
"On the contrary, I believe strong, self-confident liberalism goes hand in hand with the reassurance that the state can, must, and will protect its citizens."
In a fluent and passionate speech, he attacked the values of Labour, saying of another Sheffield MP, former Home Secretary David Blunkett, "he may have a beard, but he is no liberal."
Clegg is often talked about as a future leader of the party, and after today's performance he looks certain to be a leading contender when Ming Campbell stands down.
Perhaps the most eye-catching initiative that Clegg announced was a Great Repeal Act, aimed at getting rid of the thousands of laws passed under the Blair government. He announced the launch of a website where the public can contribute their views on which laws need to be ditched.
Clegg mocked some of the recent new legislation: "It is now illegal to sell grey squirrels. Have you seen anyone try recently?"
The LibDem spokesman berated the government for using fear of terrorism as an excuse to remove basic liberties from the British people, and stressed that terrorism is not won by restricting freedom.
In a wide-ranging address the MP for Sheffield Hallam recalled the liberal ideals of the last 100 years and attempted to put to rest any idea that his party is soft on criminality.
In one of the best conference performances of recent times, Clegg rejected the policy of 'tough liberalism' in favour of practical measures to stop crime.
He cited action taken by LibDem councils like Liverpool, where a sharp drop in burglary has been achieved. Clegg also mocked David Cameron, calling him David 'small c' Cameron, in one of many amusing lines in his address.
Clegg also attacked the government's record, highlighting their erosion of civil liberties and portraying his party as the only one ready to stand up for liberal values.
He said: "I want to rid everyone of the notion that our values give comfort to terrorists and criminals.
"On the contrary, I believe strong, self-confident liberalism goes hand in hand with the reassurance that the state can, must, and will protect its citizens."
In a fluent and passionate speech, he attacked the values of Labour, saying of another Sheffield MP, former Home Secretary David Blunkett, "he may have a beard, but he is no liberal."
Clegg is often talked about as a future leader of the party, and after today's performance he looks certain to be a leading contender when Ming Campbell stands down.
Perhaps the most eye-catching initiative that Clegg announced was a Great Repeal Act, aimed at getting rid of the thousands of laws passed under the Blair government. He announced the launch of a website where the public can contribute their views on which laws need to be ditched.
Clegg mocked some of the recent new legislation: "It is now illegal to sell grey squirrels. Have you seen anyone try recently?"
The LibDem spokesman berated the government for using fear of terrorism as an excuse to remove basic liberties from the British people, and stressed that terrorism is not won by restricting freedom.
