Lib Dem President Withdraws Party's Support for Bedroom Tax

The Liberal Democrat president, Tim Farron, has withdrawn his party's support for the bedroom tax, saying it has caused "huge social problems". In a speech that distanced the Lib Dems from the controversial tax, Farron condemned what he describes as attacks on the poorer members of society. "The onslaught of divisive rhetoric that demonises the poor can never help us to create a fairer society," he told the Centre for Social Justice. "The bedroom tax causes huge social problems and distorts the market – we as a party cannot support this." In the autumn the Liberal Democrat conference agreed to review the bedroom tax, and the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, has said that he would look at giving councils greater flexibility in providing discretionary support for specific hardship cases.  Farron's pledge to oppose the bedroom tax consciously goes beyond existing Liberal Democrat and coalition policy. Read more on the Guardian website.