Transcript Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to
Lib Dems, are a social liberal political party
based in the United Kingdom. The party
was formed in 1988 by the merger of the
Liberal Party and the short lived Social
Democratic Party (the two parties had
already been in an alliance for some years)
The party is led by Charles Kennedy. It is
currently the third-largest party in the UK
Parliament, behind Labour and the
Conservatives, and currently has 62
Members of Parliament after the general
election of 2005.
Back common EU asylum policy with fair sharing
of asylum settlement; allow asylum seekers to
work so don't rely on benefits; quota for
immigrant workers from outside EU.
Boost basic state pension by £100+ a month and
restore pensions-earnings link for over-75s; link
pension to residency not national insurance
payments; free long-term personal care.
£8bn more on health; reduce diagnostic waiting
lists for tests ; free long term care for elderly;
free eye tests, drugs for long-term illnesses; ban
smoking in public places.
Replace council tax with a local income tax; new
50% tax rate on earnings over £100,000 a year;
raise stamp duty threshold to £150,000 to help
first-time buyers.
10,000 extra police; tackle drug dealers rather
than cannabis users; out-of-hours school
courses against yob culture; local communities
decide sentences for low level criminals.
Would work towards the right conditions for
joining the euro and then call referendum; back
EU constitution, saying it will make clear the
limits on Brussels powers.
Cut class sizes for youngest children; ensure all
children are taught by a qualified teacher in each
subject; abolish "unnecessary tests"; scrap
university fees.
Replace fuel tax/VED with national road user
charging; congestion charging; shift spending
from roads to public transport; free off-peak local
bus travel for pensioners/disabled.