Lib Dem launch 'positive campaign'

Tuesday, 22 March 2005 12:31 PM

The Liberal Democrats have launched the largest campaign in their history, promising "positive proposals" for the British people.

Contrasting themselves with the campaigning tactics of the other main parties, the Lib Dems say a key feature will be telling the public what they stand for, not just what they oppose.

Full page adverts in the Daily Mail, The Independent and The Times are being followed up by a fleet of touring poster vans.

With the cost estimated at about £100,000, this is the single most expensive day of campaigning in the party's history.

It highlights ten key policies it hopes will persuade the electorate to vote Lib Dem. On the public services, the party promises to abolish hospital targets, scrap tuition fees and recruit 10,000 more police officers.

For the elderly it offers free personal care, rising pensions for the over 75s and scrapping council tax.

On wider issues, the Lib Dems offer a commitment to tackle climate change and never to go to war in the same way as Iraq.

Finally, there is a pledge of no hidden tax rises and one income tax rise for those earning over £100,000.

Launching the campaign, Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy said: "We are promoting positive policies for Britain. It is different approach from that of the other parties. I am determined that we will fight a campaign which concentrates on real solutions to the real problems that people face in Britain everyday.

"A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a positive vote. We have shown that we can stick to our principles. We opposed the war in Iraq. There were no weapons of mass destruction. We were misled by Tony Blair and George Bush. We say never again."

He added: "Our policies would make Britain better, fairer, safer. What they demonstrate is that the Liberal Democrats are the real alternative to Labour and the Conservatives. Increasingly, I believe it's an alternative that people really want."

But the Conservatives said that none of the Liberal Democrats' policies offered solutions to the problems that matter for most people.

Co-chairman Liam Fox said: "The Liberal Democrats offer no solutions on the issues that matter most to people in Britain today. They would be soft on crime, scrapping mandatory sentences for murderers and repeat rapists. They would increase taxes with a commitment to 40 new taxes. They oppose controlled immigration and are in favour of giving away more power to Europe. The Conservative Party is the only alternative to Tony Blair's failed Government."

Tags: