Liberal Democrats launch the REAL alternative

8.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 14th Apr 2005

Liberal Democrats - The REAL alternative

At the launch of the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the 2005 General Election - entitled The Real Alternative - Party leader Charles Kennedy will present a programme for the government of Britain based on "dignity for older people, real opportunity for our children and a fair deal for families".

He will set out a vision of "a Britain that celebrates diversity and provides the opportunities for each individual to make the best of their talents." The Liberal Democrats will "offer a real alternative to the authoritarian instincts of the Labour Government and the insular and narrow-minded instincts of the Conservatives".

Liberal Democrat priorities for the next parliament will be:

Ending unfairness in the NHS. That will mean free eye and dental checks and lower prescription charges, and an end to the hidden NHS waiting lists - with faster diagnosis so that, if you are ill, treatment can start quickly.

Free personal care for the elderly - help with things like washing and feeding for people with long-term illnesses.

Lower class sizes - with 21,000 new primary school teachers to give our children the best start in life.

An end to student tuition fees - because access to education should be based on the ability to learn - not on the ability to pay.

More police out on the beat - cutting crime and the fear of crime. 10,000 extra police backed up by 20,000 community support officers. Part of a strong package on law and order which is tough, focused and smart.

An end to the unfair Council Tax - because the amount you pay should be based on the amount you can afford.

Better pensions - £100 on the basic state pension for the over 75s, who are the poorest and most vulnerable of our pensioners. A Citizen's Pension for the over 75s will, for the first time, give women a full basic pension by right, addressing a scandal which has been ignored far too long.

Mr Kennedy will outline the careful basis on which the Liberal Democrat programme for government has been costed:

"We say no hidden taxes. We have only one tax raising measure which will fund three key priorities. In order to end student tuition fees, provide free personal care for the elderly and reduce local taxes, the one percent of people earning over £100,000 a year will pay a new top rate of tax - a marginal rate of 50p - less than equivalent people were paying under the majority of the period Mrs Thatcher was Prime Minister. 99% of people will not pay more tax under this proposal - but the benefits will be for 100% of people.

"Our other priorities described in this programme for government will be funded by spending £5bn a year of existing money differently. This means, for example, no compulsory Identity Cards, no Child Trust Fund, and cuts in unnecessary quangos, programmes and government department functions. In their place you will get better pensions, more police, and lower class sizes. These are our priorities, and I believe they match the priorities of the people of Britain.

"Our Local Income Tax, which will replace the unfair Council Tax, is a tax cutting measure. Its overall burden will be less than the overall burden of the unfair Council Tax. In every local authority in Britain, people will collectively pay less than they do today under Council Tax. A typical household will be £450 better off. And 6 million pensioners will pay no local tax at all."

Mr Kennedy will also emphasise that the manifesto contains green policies in every area of government. He will say: "Time is not on our side. The reality of climate change is with us here and now. It is wrong that this issue simply does not feature more prominently in the priorities of the Labour and Conservative parties."

He will conclude by saying:

"Many people will remember the principled and consistent Liberal Democrat opposition to the war in Iraq. Many people will remember that the Conservatives lined up with Tony Blair and George Bush. The Liberal Democrats have been the real opposition - representing the views of millions of our fellow citizens.

"It is a great privilege for me, at this General Election, to be leading the most socially progressive party in British politics. It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to take our programme for government to the people of Britain at this General Election.

"At this election we are the real alternative."

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell said:

"The conduct of Britain's foreign affairs, particularly in relation to Iraq, goes right to the heart of the Labour Government's credibility. Both at home and abroad trust has been eroded, and Britain's reputation diminished.

"It need not have been so. Britain, as a member of the G8, the Security Council of the United Nations, the European Union, NATO and the Commonwealth, has a unique opportunity to be a force for good in the world.

"But Britain was taken to war against Iraq without express UN authority and on a flawed prospectus. The Government built its case on unreliable intelligence, in circumstances of doubtful legality. This must never be allowed to happen again."

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Chairman, Matthew Taylor added:

"Our policies have been thoroughly and meticulously costed - and we have been straightforward about how they will be paid for.

"It cannot be right at present that poorer families pay a higher percentage of their income in tax than the richest. Under our proposals, most people will be better off and tax will be based on ability to pay.

"It is wrong for older people to have to sell their homes to pay for their care, or for students to be deterred from going to university because of the fear of incurring substantial debt. The burden of Council Tax falls most heavily on those least able to afford it.

"Our package of tough choices on spending and fairer taxes would mean that most people would be better off."

Sarah Teather, winner of the Brent East by-election, added:

"Young people in Britain are looking for long-term solutions to the country's problems. Labour broke its manifesto promise to students about top-up fees - that will not be forgiven. The Liberal Democrats were also instrumental in scrapping tuition fees in Scotland - proving we mean what we say.

"Top-up fees put students off university, especially those from a poorer background. And is it really fair that by 2010 so many young people will be saddled with mortgage style debts of £30,000 hanging round their necks?

"Unlike the other main parties, there is a strong green thread running through everything we do and promise. That is why the environment features on every page of our manifesto.

"It is the Liberal Democrats who offer a fairer alternative."

You can read the manifesto at: http://www.libdems.org.uk/party/policy/manifesto.html