CHERIE BLAIR became the latest high-profile figure to join the fight to cut the Liberal Democrats down to size following Nick Clegg’s recent surge in popularity.

Visiting the city to meet with Labour candidates ahead of next month’s General Election, the former Prime Minister’s wife rejected the idea the Liberal Democrats were “the party of change”, and said Liverpool voters who had lived under the party’s rule for 12 years would not be swayed.

She said nationally the Liberal Democrats were in a better position than locally, because they have never held Parliamentary power, but they can be “judged” by voters on their record in the city.

Mrs Blair said she was confident Labour would take control of the council on May 6.

Ahead of last night’s second TV debate between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Mr Clegg, she added: “I think we have a fantastic chance to take the council and, in fact, to show they understand that the Labour government has made a huge difference in this city in the last 13 years.

“The city has seen what a Liberal Democrat council is all about, so whereas maybe nationally they can say they are the party of change, that’s not the case here.

“The reality is it’s very easy to promise when you don’t have to deliver. When you do, and you see the kind of choices the Lib-Dems have made here, those choices have not been the best for Liverpool.

“There’s absolutely no doubt that Liverpool is on the up and that is a result of the investment we’ve seen, but there are deep-seated problems in certain areas that you can’t just solve overnight.”

She said the priority of a party in power in the city should be protecting services for those who need them most.