Lib Dems can double their MPs, says Tim Farron

TIM FARRON has insisted the Liberal Democrats could double their number of MPs to 18 despite poor poll ratings.

As the Lib Dem leader attempted to put the so-called “dementia tax” back up the political agenda with visits to care homes in north-west England, he said he remained confident about the party’s chances.

Asked if he stood by his prediction following the May local elections that the party could double its tally of MPs to 18, Mr Farron told the Press Association: “Certainly, the results on local election day, if you look at them and where they fell, showed that. We’ll wait and see how things go on Thursday.

“As things stand we look to be the only opposition party that will make progress in this election.”

Mr Farron has repeatedly refused to be drawn on whether he would quit as leader if the party failed to make a breakthrough at the election.

He denied that his failure to campaign in Cornwall and Devon in the final days of the election battle showed the party had given up on winning target seats there.

“Not at all. I’ve probably been to Cornwall more than anyone else in the last few months.

“We are trying to get to every region we can in the last couple of days and we are getting down to Bath, which is obviously in the West Country, and we are very, very hopeful of places like St Ives, North Cornwall and other places in the South West.”

Asked if the two major terrorist attacks during the campaign could influence the outcome of the election, Mr Farron said: “I think it’s important not to think like that, frankly. The terrorist attacks have had utterly life-changing impacts on many families across this country, and, frankly, to think of them in political terms is a bit callous, so I don’t.”

Mr Farron said the Lib Dems would put £17 billion into repairing schools and hospitals if they gained power.