Kennedy gets tough on crime to woo Tory voters

The Liberal Democrats are to shift into the political centre ground with a more populist policy on crime, to woo disaffected Tory voters

The move by Charles Kennedy's party, to be unveiled at its Brighton conference this week, could cause ructions among the Lib Dem faithful at a time when Mr Kennedy's detractors seem keen to criticise his leadership.

But party chiefs are understood to believe that they will never achieve their ambition to increase their number of parliamentary seats from 53 and knock the Conservatives into third place if they do not diverge from purely "liberal" credentials.

Known as the party of civil liberties which supports the rehabilitation of offenders, the Liberal Democrats are set to adopt their toughest line yet on crime. Their home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes is only too aware that the Lib Dems languish at less than 10 per cent in the polls on law and order issues.

"I want [us] to be as good at having effective policies for reducing crime as we are defending people in the criminal justice system and looking after liberties," he said yesterday. "I hope that will make us more relevant to lots of people and more electable in more places."

Mr Hughes will outline his policy shift in a fringe meeting with the homeless charity Shelter tonight and in a speech to the conference tomorrow. He will say: "As the only Liberal Democrat MP in an inner-city seat, I see and hear about the effects of anti-social behaviour every day.

"It affects everyone from the elderly and vulnerable, many of whom fear for their safety, to young people whose lives can be made a misery by bullying and intimidation.

"Graffiti and vandalism plague rural communities as well as inner-city estates. Noise and harassment too often go unchallenged."

Among the Lib Dem proposals are setting up a single hotline with a named police officer, special constable or community support officer to respond to complaints regarding noise, harassment or graffiti. Mr Hughes will also call for more uniformed police officers and specials, some paid for by private companies, to patrol the streets, buses and trains.

He will also suggest a scheme under which the police could call "time out" on people who were drunk and disorderly or heavily under the influence of drugs by detaining them in police cells for up to 12 hours without charge.

Mr Hughes will also propose a system under which the victims of crime would be given a say during criminal cases in court.

Many of the proposals raised by the Liberal Democrats at the conference this week will be put to David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, when Parliament returns in the autumn.

They do like to be beside the seaside

At least the Liberal Democrats find themselves in Brighton for their annual party conference this year. If the action in the conference hall isn't all it might be, delegates can take comfort in trendy(ish) bars and restaurants, a sort of sophisticated seafront and, most importantly, that they're not in Blackpool.

What's at issue?

The Tory conference was all but abandoned last year when Parliament was recalled in the aftermath of 11 September. This time, the Lib Dems have been forced to reschedule so that MPs can debate Iraq at Westminster. The threat of military action will none the less be high up the agenda at all the political conferences including this one. Elsewhere, there will be debates on the party's new crime strategy, mental health and the future of public services. Unlikely to be heard from the platform at any other political meeting but very much on the agenda for the Lib Dems are debates on piracy, the regulation of pornography, and archaeology.

Beyond the fringe

To describe a karaoke night as "infamous" is worrying in itself. To advertise it as "starring Lembit Opik MP" is beyond comment. But at least anyone who overdoes it will be better placed to understand the top offering for the following day advising would-be politicians on "how a pig can help you win your seat and how to plan for victory".

Follow my leader

Photo opportunities galore as Charles Kennedy poses with his new wife, Sarah, on the Brighton prom, visits a university art exhibition, drops into a cardiac unit and stands next to a large advert. Oh, and he's making a speech on Thursday as well.

Special guest

Carrying on the tradition of foreign visitors with shared political sympathies taking to the conference stage, the Lib Dems will hear from Tony Leon, leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance Party. Nelson Mandela had a prior engagement.

Why join the Liberal Democrats?

The Lib Dem conference guide includes the following contribution from former Daily Express and former IoS editor Rosie Boycott, who left Labour to join the Lib Dems: "The final straw for me was when Labour accepted a donation from Richard Desmond. I didn't become politically committed in order to support a party which takes money from a pornographer."