The Liberal Democrats have announced another “red line” for future coalition negotiations, a “stability budget” that would force Labour and the Tories to spell out more detail on their economic plans.
Nick Clegg has said he would use the budget to require Labour to set a timetable on its plan to eliminate the current account deficit, and the Tories to set out how they intend to save £12bn from the welfare budget.
The emergency spending review would have to take place within 50 days of the election.
The Liberal Democrat leader said in a speech this morning: “Whether we are in government with Labour or the Conservatives, we will pin them down within weeks of the election and force them to put their cards on the table.
“David Cameron, Ed Miliband - the Liberal Democrats won’t let you bluff your way through. We won’t let you risk our economic recovery. We will have a stability budget, to take place within 50 days of election day, a pre-condition of any coalition arrangement.
“There will be no deal if there is no stability. No coalition without coming clean with the British people. This too, is a red line. But it is also a means to an end. It is a guarantee to the British public that the Government will balance the books, following a clear timetable, and do so fairly.”
It is the second “red line” set out by the Liberal Democrats in as many days.
Yesterday evening, Clegg announced that he would not accept any coalition deal that did not increase education spending.