BBC News Online: UK Politics: Lib Dem Conference

Ashdown throws down gauntlet to Blair

By BBC News Online's Nick Assinder in Brighton.

Paddy Ashdown will on Thursday throw down a blunt challenge to Tony Blair to deliver a freedom of information bill or risk destroying the alliance between the two parties.

In a keynote conference speech clearly designed to rally his rebellious troops, he will warn the prime minister to publish the long-delayed bill within "weeks".

And he will threaten to walk out of the cabinet committee - where Liberal Democrat MPs and Labour ministers discuss constitutional reform - unless the pledge is met.

"There can be no watering down of freedom of information," he will tell his conference in Brighton.

"Some in the Labour Party want to see a much weaker freedom of information bill, but in the immortal words of Mandy Rice Davies, 'they would say that wouldn't they'.

"But let me place this on record - a full and undiluted freedom of information bill could have been published by now and it should be published without any delay."

Failure to do so would "fatally undermine" public confidence in the government's commitment to open government, he will say.

Back burner

His speech reads: "So the events of the next few weeks will determine the future of our project with Labour to give Britain a modern constitution."

There have been fears that Labour has put the issue of freedom of information on the back burner.

But Mr Ashdown must feel confident that ministers are now ready to deliver the pledge - and he is desperate to win the support of delegates who are increasingly questioning the alliance between the two parties.

His speech is also bound to address the thorny issue of voting reform, on which Labour has promised to hold a referendum.

He will want to reassure the conference that this promise will also be delivered and tell them that a move towards proportional representation for Westminster elections is finally within their grasp.

The speech is one of the most important he has ever made to his party.

Growing rebellion

He has suffered a number of defeats on key policies during the conference as dissidents have flexed their muscles.

He is also facing a growing rebellion over his policy of constructive opposition with Labour which has seen him warned not to become Tony Blair's poodle.

He will have to use the speech to calm fears that he has watered down Liberal Democrat policy to please the government.

And he will need to reassure delegates that he is not selling them out in search of power.