THE man who would be Chancellor of the Exchequer under the Liberal Democrats claimed they were a “pro-business party” but said capital gains tax hikes were needed to curb “large scale” tax dodges.

Vince Cable, pictured, was joined by his party’s Winchester candidate Martin Tod on a tour of Draper Tools in Chandler’s Ford, which employs more than 250 people.

Mr Cable said Lib Dems would make sure banks lent to good small and medium-sized companies in Hampshire who were being crippled by “restrictions on credit”.

And he added they would slash red tape, particularly for small businesses, such as the working time directive.

He said while capital gains would be hiked from 18 per cent to 50 per cent in line with the top rate of income tax, entrepreneurs and family businesses would retain some discount allowance, although the detail had yet to be worked out.

Mr Cable said Lib Dems were "confident" of holding their golden triangle of seats in Romsey, Eastleigh and Winchester and appealed to voters wanting a change of Government: "If you like Liberal Democrats and want Liberal Democrats you should vote for them, it's a very simple point.

"People do want change but they want the right kind of change and the Tories don't offer that."