Tory Spending Plans Nothing More Than A Vague Aspiration

12.00.00am GMT Mon 16th Feb 2004

The Conservative's long-awaited spending plans have proved to be little more than a vague aspiration to be nice to everybody, according to Vince Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor and MP for Twickenham.

Speaking after Oliver Letwin's keynote speech today, Dr Cable said: "Mr Letwin continues to duck all the difficult choices. The idea that they can increase spending on key services, reduce taxes and improve the budget position simultaneously is highly implausible."

"Slashing the Home Office and Transport budgets will mean less police to tackle rising violent crime and the further decay of our roads and railways."

"Waste and bureaucracy are a problem of the present Government, but Tory plans to put a freeze on civil servants make no sense. Mr Letwin has overestimated the increase in the number of civil servants by 10,000 and he can't explain exactly what the Civil Service will do less of."

"These proposals are little more than a vague aspiration to be nice to everybody."