If there was an Olympic event for u-turns, the Tories would be guaranteed a gold

Lord Razzall

The bold promise came from Lib Dem election campaign leader Lord Razzall during a rallying call at the party's conference in Bournemouth.

The Lib Dems, he said, would have a campaign that was honest, confident and positive.

And he predicted the party would beat the number of seats it won in 1997 next time round.

Hailing the victory of Sandra Gidley in Romsey, he said: "There are 50 Tory MPs who have less safe seats than Romsey is. I say to them: 'Watch out, Liberal Democrats are after you'."

Attack on Labour and Tories

Stressing the party's commitment to improving hospitals, schools and deals for pensioners, Lord Razzall attacked both the government's and Tories' promises.

He contrasted the party's priorities with those of the government, which announced �4m over four years to fight prostate cancer on the same day as it pledged �47m over four months to "prop up the Millennium Dome".

He accused Mr Hague of watering down, redefining or dropping all his party's guarantees and offering the electorate "all spin and no substance".

"So, Labour a disappointment, Tories a disaster. So you can tell people how Liberal Democrats can make the difference," Lord Razzall told delegates.

"If there was an Olympic event for u-turns, the Tories would be guaranteed a gold," he said.

On the environment, Europe and race, only the Lib Dems would never compromise, he said.

And he accused the Conservatives of inciting saloon bar-style race hatred, mocking Mr Hague's boasts of drinking sessions.

"After 14 pints of lager, it's a small step from the saloon bar to the gutter," he said.