DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg visited Penzance this week as he launched his party's local election campaign.
Holding a business lunch in the town, the Liberal Democrat leader spoke of his Party's vision for the county including bringing confidence back to the high street, supporting local business and investing in major works like the scheme for Penzance harbour.
Joined by MP for west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Andrew George, he also answered questions posed by the local business community.
"We spoke about business rates, VAT and the state of the banks," he told The Cornishman.
"It was generally about confidence, how to make people confident."
He added that one way of doing this was by extending rate relief for small businesses and also giving more powers to local councils to spend the money raised through the levy.
"But I also acknowledge this is a cross that many businesses have to bare," he said.
He also said he hoped to "make gains" in the local elections, toppling the current Conservative and Independent coalition at the helm of Cornwall Council.
"It is a big hope, we always aim high," he said.
"All I can say is I want to make gains. I am not going to start making rash predictions but I sense confidence is seeping back into the Liberal Democrats and people are coming back to us again."
Holding a business lunch in the town, the Liberal Democrat leader spoke of his Party's vision for the county including bringing confidence back to the high street, supporting local business and investing in major works like the scheme for Penzance harbour.
Joined by MP for west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Andrew George, he also answered questions posed by the local business community.
"We spoke about business rates, VAT and the state of the banks," he told The Cornishman.
"It was generally about confidence, how to make people confident."
He added that one way of doing this was by extending rate relief for small businesses and also giving more powers to local councils to spend the money raised through the levy.
"But I also acknowledge this is a cross that many businesses have to bare," he said.
He also said he hoped to "make gains" in the local elections, toppling the current Conservative and Independent coalition at the helm of Cornwall Council.
"It is a big hope, we always aim high," he said.
"All I can say is I want to make gains. I am not going to start making rash predictions but I sense confidence is seeping back into the Liberal Democrats and people are coming back to us again."
