Lib Dems launch County Council Manifesto - Free, Fair, Green, Honest

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 31st Mar 2005

A fairer, greener open and honest Council

Northampton Liberal Democrats launched their manifesto for the County Council elections on the steps of County Hall this afternoon. They echoed Charles Kennedy and their Treasury spokesman Ed Davey MP who said earlier in the day "Council Tax hits pensioners and people on low and fixed incomes the hardest, and revaluation is going to make it worse." He predicted that "with seven million families facing a 20% or more hike in their bills", protests against council tax would intensify.

Andrew Simpson, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North said "Next week we will know for sure if we will have a General Election on the same day as the County Council elections (5th May). However, the County Council controls many vital services - including education, care for the elderly, our roads and the fire service. The County Council elections are important. Liberal Democrats offer the Real Alternative to both Labour - who have failed Northamptonshire citizens during their 12 years in control at County Hall - and the empty bluster of a Tory Party that says different things to different people and so cannot be trusted."

Commenting on Lib Dem promises to reform local taxation Cllr Malcolm Mildren said "Local Income Tax works in other countries. It will be fairer, cheaper to collect and easier to understand. About half of families will be better off under the Lib Dem scheme - and nearly three quarter will be no worse off."

Cllr Sally Beardsworth emphasised other key policies in the Liberal Democrat manifesto - particularly their commitment to reduce crime and the fear of crime. She said "People want to see Police on the beat or Community Support Officers or Neighbourhood Wardens regularly patrolling an area. Having someone on the ground provides eyes and ears, a reassurance for local people and a figure of authority for youngsters. Liberal Democrats are committed to increasing the number of officers available to fight crime."

Lib Dem Leader on the Borough Council, Richard Church emphasised the Liberal Democrat commitment to the environment. He said "Northampton is a growing town. We need to provide more homes, jobs and schools for both local people and newcomers. However, we do not need the massive expansion demanded by John Prescott and forced through by an undemocratic, unaccountable quango - the Urban Development Corporation." Richard Church went on to attack the Tory position on development saying "they say different things to different people. You simply cannot trust them. Their parliamentary and county candidates claim to be anti-development and are promising to scrap the UDC while their Borough Council colleagues have rolled over and enthusiastically accepted the UDC. They cannot all be telling the truth."

The Liberal Democrat manifesto for Northamptonshire County Council identifies 10 good reasons to vote Liberal Democrat locally on 5th May. They are:-

¨ More police and community support officers to tackle crime hot-spots.

¨ Community based services for elderly and vulnerable people.

¨ Value for money; keep the council tax down before it is abolished.

¨ Better maintenance of roads and pavements.

¨ Improved early year's education & fair schools admissions policies.

¨ Promote public transport to reduce congestion.

¨ Resist green field development.

¨ Review PFI schemes.

¨ More and better facilities for young people.

¨ A council which is closer to the people

A copy of the full manifesto can be downloaded from the Download area of this site.