Our Policies: A Summary

A Pocket Guide to Liberal Democrat Policy.

Environment: A better environment, a better life
All our policies have a green backbone running through them because damage to our environment damages personal health, impoverishes economies and weakens communities. But achieving sustainability cannot be done by one government department alone.

Better Government: More power to you
Local people know more about their area than civil servants in Whitehall. Money that could be better spent on the coal face, or not spent at all, is wasted on bureaucracy. For more information, please visit www.libdems.org.uk/government

The Economy: Freedom to thrive
We believe in a stable, well-managed economy - based on fairer taxes and honest choices in public spending.

Education & Skills: Ambitious for every child
Our priorities are scrapping tuition fees - as we already have in Scotland, smaller class sizes and more specialist teachers in key subjects. We'd also give children a flying start in life by increasing maternity pay.

Health: Fast, effective treatment
When a GP believes you may have a serious illness, the Liberal Democrats would offer diagnosis by the quickest practical route so the NHS can treat you more quickly. The Liberal Democrats will also provide free personal care when people most need it – as we have done in Scotland.

Transport: Safe, reliable and affordable
We believe in an effective public transport network, with taxes that encourage the use of less-polluting cars and free off-peak bus travel for all pensioners and disabled people.

Pensions: Dignity and security in retirement
We would create a pensions system that is sustainable, tackles poverty and is fair to women and carers. We would replace Council Tax with a local income tax so everyone pays according to their ability to pay.

Justice & Crime: Effective solutions to crime
We want more police on the streets. By getting rid of Labour's expensive and ineffective ID card scheme, we could pay for 10,000 more police. We would also give the police the technology to spend more time on the street, and less time tied to the desk. The average police officer today spends more time on paperwork than they do on patrol.

Commerce & Industry: Getting Whitehall of the back of business
We want to cut the red tape that stops businesses from growing. And we'll protect all of us from rip-offs by introducing a new legal duty on business to trade fairly.

Communities: Better communities
We want our communities to be vibrant, successful and self-supporting, whether they are local, based around a workplace, a place of worship or ethnic background. We will axe the unfair Council Tax and replace it with a local income tax and provide more affordable homes.

Rural Communities: Rural futures
We want to give farmers a fair price for their food by putting a stop to unfair practices from supermarkets. We want to speed up reform of the Common Agricultural Policy so that public money benefits the people who need it and protects the environment.

International Affairs: A world of opportunity
We should not have gone to war in Iraq. For maximum impact, Britain needs to work with our neighbours and the UN, as well as the USA. Europe needs to be more democratic, with clearly defined powers, so we can get the best of the benefits it brings to our environment and our economy.

Published and promoted by: Alison Gallan, 6 Alderley Lodge, Bedell's Lane, Wilmslow SK9 6JR
Hosted by asimplewebsite a division of PHS Associates Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. Reg. No. 3624285. Registered Office: Spring Court, Spring Road, Hale, Cheshire, WA14 2UQ