Senior Lib Dem Blasts Tory ‘Demonisation’ Of Poor

Lord Paddy Ashdown has criticised Conservatives for demonising the poor and making welfare reforms harder to implement.  The former Liberal Democrat leader made the comments at the Chartered Institute of Housing south west conference in Torquay. Lord Ashdown said it was ‘distressing for Liberal Democrats’ that some were looking to demonise the poor. He said: ‘When you are in coalition you can’t necessarily control the words used by another party. The demonisation of the poor, which has been going on there is no doubt about that, is extremely unhelpful to the nation and very unhelpful in getting through these changes which I think are necessary and helpful to the country.’ Read more on Inside Housing.