Liberal Democrats launch manifesto: The Real Alternative

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th Apr 2005

Hounslow's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates Satnam Kaur Khalsa (Feltham & Heston) and Andrew Dakers (Brentford & Isleworth) today supported the launch of the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the 2005 General Election - entitled The Real Alternative. In Westminster party leader Charles Kennedy presented 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 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 outlined 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.

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."

Commenting on the launch of the manifesto, Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Feltham & Heston, said:

"Many of the residents of Hounslow and people of this country have lost faith in the political process. The Liberal Democrats are offering real solutions that will work to restore their trust.

"We want to tackle the real issues that matter such as education, pensions, health and the environment. I want the next generation to realise their aspirations and not have burden of student loans. In government we would replace the council tax with a fairer local income tax, give our pensioners more money and introduce free dental care for all.

"The residents of Hounslow want to be proud of their environment. The local surveys show that they want do more recycling such as recycle plastics. I am sure if we have global fair trade and beat world injustices and poverty this will help to reduce immigration and asylum seekers.

"I am looking forward to working with the residents of Hounslow for brighter future but also a better today."

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth, added:

"Labour has taken Hounslow for granted for way too long. With a local record for overblown housing expenses and not replying to residents' casework, Labour has lost the trust of many of Hounslow's residents. Labour's reputation is poor locally and it collapsed nationally when Tony Blair took us into war.

"The Liberal Democrats go into this election as the only one of the three main parties that grew our vote in Hounslow at the last general election. We have earned a reputation for action by campaigning on the local issues that matter, such as better NHS care, an end to the unfair council tax and protecting our green space.

"I hope that on polling day, local residents will reject another four years of Labour arrogance. The Liberal Democrats are the real alternative for voters in Hounslow at this election."

ENDS

Hard copies of the Manifesto can be ordered by calling 09065 22 44 55. Calls will cost £1.50 per minute from a BT landline, call duration maximum 2.5 minutes. The Manifesto is printed on 100% recycled paper.

The Manifesto will be available in a fully interactive searchable format, downloadable from the web. A plain text document will also be available on the web. The Manifesto will be produced in an 'Easy Read' format for people with learning disabilities. This will be available to download from the website a few days after the main launch, and can be ordered in hard copy by calling 020 7222 7999 or emailing policy@libdems.org.uk There is no charge for single copies.

The Manifesto will also be produced on audio, in both CD and tape formats. These can be ordered by calling 020 7222 7999 or emailing policy@libdems.org.uk There is no charge for single copies. Audio formats will be available a few days after the launch and can be ordered immediately.

Related Link:

Click here to access our full General Election Manifesto: The REAL Alternative