Swinson said the shift to the right he has executed to do so is driving “One Nation, small-l liberal
Conservatives” towards her party.
“The old rules of politics are being rewritten,” she said. “They are changing. I am a candidate to be the next
prime minister and I look at Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn and I am determined that our country has a
better alternative. I could do a better job than either of them.”
Accusing the prime minister of “reckless irresponsibility” over the potential damage no-deal Brexit could do
to the economy, public services and the NHS, she said: “He doesn’t really care, Boris. His whole approach
is characterised by what is in the interests of Boris Johnson. If it gets him elected leader of the Conservative
party, it’s fine by him. People are going to think twice.”
Liberal Democrats are on an election footing, raising funds and ramping up campaigning in expectation of
an early poll, she said. “We want to make the most of the opportunity we have to win potentially hundreds
of seats,” she said. “If it comes to an election up against Boris Johnson, I say ‘Bring it on’.”