Lib Dems and Labour point the fingers at conference date clash

LIBERAL Democrat and Labour bosses have blamed each other for the embarrassing clash of dates which saw them holding their conference on the same weekend.

Political parties conventionally co-ordinate their dates to maximise exposure and ensure they are the main focus of political debate.

But as Labour delegates met in Dundee, the Lib Dems were holding their conference in Inverness, with respective leaders Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband speaking within an hour of each other.

Labour insiders said they asked Lib Dems for their dates around a year ago, and were given all conference dates for the next 18 months – apart from this weekend.

But a Liberal Democrat spokesman said the party traditionally held its conferences on the first weekend of March.