LIBERAL Democrat rule in Liverpool is threatened by fading memories of the “complete mess” left by Labour a decade ago, its leader admitted yesterday.

Speaking to the Liverpool Daily Post, Nick Clegg said many people had simply forgotten what Liverpool was like before 1998, as he also acknowledged that “controversy” had dogged the Lib-Dem administration.

Mr Clegg firmly rejected any comparison between Lib-Dem run Liverpool and the Labour government, which many critics say looks exhausted after 11 years in power. But he declined to pledge – one week before polling day – that his party would cling on to power, after Labour made the city council its No.1 target on May 1.

Instead, Mr Clegg said: “People forget what a complete mess Liverpool was when we inherited it.

“When I visited, I asked people to step back from the latest headline, the latest controversy and ask themselves whether Liverpool is a better city than 10 years ago.

“I got the overwhelming response that Liverpudlians accept the Liberal Democrats have done an extraordinary job in transforming their city – and that’s something we are rightly very proud of.”

Mr Clegg pointed to Lib-Dem successes in city schools, a revamped city centre, winning the Capital of Culture award and helping Merseyside police introduce neighbourhood police teams.

And he said: “I hope that, come next Thursday, people in Liverpool will look at the big picture of what we have achieved.”

Mr Clegg’s comments suggested a fear that council leader Warren Bradley, like Gordon Brown, is vulnerable to the powerful message: “It’s time for a change.”

But, asked if there was a parallel, Mr Clegg insisted: “No. The Liberal Democrats in Liverpool, unlike the Labour government, can be very proud of what they have achieved.”

Labour set its sights on Liverpool after the council’s finances were condemned by the Audit Commission, the fiasco of the cancelled Mathew Street festival and the ethical standards investigation into Mr Bradley.

Hazel Blears, elections co-ordinator and the communities secretary, hailed recent by-election victories, on swings of up to 25%, as evidence the electoral tide was turning.

It would take a dramatic swing in fortunes for Labour to snatch the 10 council seats it needs to win overall control, but a hung council is seen as a real possibility.

Lord Rennard, the Lib-Dems’ Liverpool-born chief executive and elections guru, insisted the big difference between Lib-Dem run Liverpool and Labour-run Britain was tax.

He added: “Ten years ago, Liverpool had the highest council tax in the country, but our increases have been the lowest anywhere in the country. Gordon Brown has increased taxes by stealth over the last 10 years and now, blatantly and substantially, for the poorest people – which is a very sharp contrast.”

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