Another newspaper advises 'Vote Lib Dem' as UKIP become embroiled in expenses sleaze

'The case for supporting the Liberal Democrats is now very strong' says today's Guardian newspaper in an opinion piece. Anyone 'who cares about constitutional renewal' should 'vote Lib Dem', and reminds readers 'that on two other great crises - the debt-driven collapse of high finance and climate change - the Lib Dems led the way'.

Similarly Polly Toynbee writing in the same paper, in an article entitled 'Throw out bad councils, and vote for Lib Dems in Europe' highlights the positive reasons to vote Liberal Democrat - 'on the economy or crime co-operation, "stronger together, poorer apart" is a good Lib Dem pro-EU slogan'. The article highlights the danger of electing a Conservative Party that is increasingly disengaged from Europe, as well as the hypocrisy of UKIP, whose leader 'admits legally drawing £2m in EU expenses and employing his wife, whilst one of his MEP's was jailed for money laundering and another faces prosecution for laundering money and false accounting'.

The attack on UKIP echoed earlier comments by Liberal Democrat MP, Edward Davey: 'UKIP MEPs have attacked others over their expenses while living the high life in Brussels, charging the taxpayer, and hiding the true cost from voters. One in six UKIP MEPs elected in 2004 has since faced criminal charges over their creative accounting. Meanwhile, UKIP turned up in the European Parliament to vote against a cap on MEPs' earnings, against reforms to make travel more transparent, and in favour of laws aimed at keeping their expenses secret'.

Liberal Democrats have long championed reform of MEP expenses in the European Parliament, and represent a positive force for change. Whether on green issues, promoting consumer rights, economic affairs with Vince Cable's penetrating analysis of the current economic problems, or arguing for constitutional change, we have led the way and with your help can make a real difference.