Liberal Democrats The REAL alternativealternative More and more people are supporting the Liberal Democrats. Every sign is that we can win more votes and elect more Liberal Democrat MPs. Britain has real problems. Liberal Democrats are putting forward real solutions. Liberal Democrats offer a real alternative. therealalternative.org I believe that the 2001 it is underpinned by costed Tax and replace it with a fair and urgency. We are by far – 2005 parliament will be and credible pledges. We system based on people’s the greenest of the three remembered as the period are determined that what ability to pay. main UK political parties during which the Liberal we promise can be achieved. and this manifesto again Democrats came of age, Our fi gures, based on offi cial Society is still scarred by confi rms that fact. ushering in a new era of costings, all add up. And at inequality. Tackling that truly three-party politics. the heart of our programme is a priority for the Liberal It is a privilege at this That is why we enter this is a determination to Democrats. For example, it’s election to be leading the General Election campaign achieve a fairer and more time that we redressed the most socially progressive with such optimism, unity straightforward tax system scandalous discrimination party in British politics. Our of purpose and public which delivers the social against women in the goodwill. priorities we believe that state pension system. We priorities here at home people want. propose a ‘citizen’s pension’, are clear; our instinctive We have been tested based on residency instead internationalism – through – inside and outside The mark of a decent of national insurance positive and proactive Parliament – as never society is one which creates contributions, which would engagement with Europe, before. We have stuck to opportunity for young – at last – provide women the United Nations and our principles: from our people and provides security who have spent time caring the Commonwealth – is opposition to the war in and dignity for those in for children and elderly defi nitive. Iraq to our defence of their older years. At both parents a pension in their fundamental civil liberties ends of the age spectrum, own right. I am ambitious for the over control orders. Again we believe that Britain Liberal Democrats and and again, we have been must do better. That’s why In addition, we remain the Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to we set our commitment to proud of a Britain which is the real alternative at this Tony Blair’s increasingly abolishing student top-up enriched precisely because election. Please read, refl ect discredited Government – and tuition fees alongside it is a multi-racial, multi- – and if you like what we over Council Tax, top-up and our determination to ethnic society. We will stand for, your support can tuition fees, and ID cards. guarantee free long-term not pander to fear and make the difference. personal care for the elderly. prejudice. We offer fair and The challenge – and the And we can point with pride effective policies over the opportunity – is now to to the example of Scotland, distinct issues of asylum and provide the real alternative where Liberal Democrat immigration. at this election. That is what ministers in government this manifesto is all about have already delivered both Through all our thinking, – detailing our analysis and these policies. In addition, there is a green thread of Charles Kennedy — Leader policy ambitions; and all of we would scrap the Council environmental awareness of the Liberal Democrats Freedom. Fairness. Trust. These are the qualities of the British people at their best, and they Liberal Democrats are open and straightforward in taxes and government charges than those who are are the guiding principles of the Liberal Democrats. about how we will pay for our policies. At the last much better off. That cannot be right. Today, under This manifesto is built on these principles – principles that we believe must underpin the three general elections we set out full details of how Labour, the poorest 20 per cent of the population pay government of this country, but which are too often lacking in public life today. much our policies would cost and how we would pay 38 per cent of their income in tax, compared with just FREEDOM for them. None of the other parties did this. 35 per cent for the richest 20 per cent. That is unfair. Because Liberal Democrats believe that individuals should govern their own lives, free from unnecessary interference by government or society. So we want to build a society which Labour has increased spending, an increase only the Three of our key policies will create a fairer gives individual men and women opportunities to pursue their aims, develop their talents Liberal Democrats were honest enough to propose at distribution of the costs of public services: and shape their successes. A country where people are free to shape their future is stronger, the last election. Given this growth in spending, most wealthier, happier, and more fulfilled. Scrapping tuition and top-up fees for students. of our proposals at this election can be funded from FAIRNESS savings in current budgets. This means switching Cost: £1.2 billion per year. Because ill-health, disability, poverty, environmental pollution and the fear of crime curtail around £5 billion each year from low-priority freedom, just as much as discriminatory laws or arrest without trial. So we want government government programmes in order to fund our key Introducing free personal care for elderly and to provide the essential requirements that everyone needs to make real choices in their proposals. disabled people. lives – a good education, a decent pension, a clean environment, effective policing and high quality healthcare. And we want to see fairness too in the way in which taxes are Our savings include: Cost: £1.7 billion per year. raised and minorities are treated. Cutting subsidies. By abolishing the Department TRUST Keeping down local taxes (as well as basing them on of Trade and Industry and ending unnecessary Because to deliver freedom and fairness, we need to give citizens the power to hold ability to pay). government to account. So we want to see government brought closer to the people subsidies we will save approximately one third of the it is meant to serve – which is why we are committed to curtail the personal power and Department’s expenditure. This will be re-invested Cost: £2.0 billion per year. patronage of the Prime Minister, strengthen British democracy and hand many powers instead in our priorities set out in this manifesto. back from central government to local neighbourhoods with real democratic control over These three items will cost £4.9 billion and we will those who wield power. Using the money set aside for the Chancellor’s pay for them with one tax change. We will introduce Throughout this manifesto we explain how we will put these beliefs into practice creating Child Trust Fund to cut class sizes in primary schools. a new 50 per cent rate on the portion of individual The Child Trust Fund will cost almost £1.5 billion over a society where people are more free, where government exercises its powers more fairly, income exceeding £100,000 a year. Just one per cent and where the bond of trust is re-established between the people and their government. a parliament to give cash handouts when today’s of taxpayers will pay this (because they can afford to) babies reach 18. It’s better for these children to Throughout this manifesto, we recognise our responsibility to future generations, to protect whilst most people will be better off as we abolish benefit from the money now, in their early years, by the precious environment that sustains all life on the planet. Policies for environmental student tuition fees, abolish care charges for the sustainability are therefore set out in every area – because for us, environmental policy is cutting class sizes. elderly, and abolish the Council Tax.” not an optional extra but an integral part of the way in which we will govern. Not introducing ID cards. Hundreds of millions can Throughout this manifesto, we show how we can help be saved by not introducing ID cards. That money achieve these aims through Britain playing a leading The environment role in Europe and on the wider international stage, would be better spent on increasing the number of features on every building effective global institutions and acting in police on the streets by 10,000 and providing them page of this with the technology to make them more effective. accordance with international laws – because in an ever Matthew Taylor more globalised and interdependent world, isolation is manifesto – a strong We will also make taxes fairer – cutting costs for most Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party in none of our interests. green thread running people. At present, people on low incomes or in old Throughout this manifesto you will find this Liberal through everything age have to pay a higher proportion of their income All figures are for financial year 2006/7. Democrat approach. Freedom. Fairness. Trust. we do and promise. HEALTH: Putting Patients First 04 - 05 EDUCATION & SKILLS: Ambitious for Every Child 06 - 07 JUSTICE & CRIME: Tackling Crime, Defending Liberty 08 - 09 ECONOMY & BUSINESS: Building Prosperity for Britain 10 - 11 PENSIONS & BENEFITS: Fair Pensions and Benefits 12 LOCAL COMMUNITIES: Strong Local Communities 13 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: Britain’s Place in Europe and the World 14 - 15 RURAL AFFAIRS: A Fairer Deal for Rural Communities 16 TRANSPORT: Getting Britain Moving 17 BETTER GOVERNMENT: Stop the Abuse of Power 18 ENVIRONMENT: Our Pledge for Green Action 19 Liberal Democrats have circumstances, and often the championed the devolution of influence of Liberal Democrats This manifesto is available from our powers to Scotland and Wales, in government.