Kennedy promises positive programme

Thursday, 14 April 2005 12:00 AM

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy today set out what he called a "positive programme" for running the country based around increasing fairness and opportunity for all.

And he insisted that his party's proposals were "fully costed and affordable" and did not contain hidden tax rises.

Launching the Liberal Democrat election manifesto in London today, Mr Kennedy said they had been "the real opposition" to Labour during the last parliament.

Key manifesto promises included ending student tuition fees, free personal care for the elderly, and a phased withdrawal of British troops from Iraq at the end of the year.

Smaller class sizes, 10,000 more police, an end to "hidden" NHS waiting lists, and a more independent foreign policy were also included.

Mr Kennedy added that an environmental thread "ran throughout" the manifesto, and that his party was "the most socially progressive party in British politics".

Most controversially, the Liberal Democrats will get rid of the council tax and replace it with a local income tax, and introduce a top tax rate of 50 per cent for earnings over £100,000.

But a local income tax would take in less money than the council tax does, Mr Kennedy said. Although some 25 per cent of the population would pay more, everyone else would pay less or the same amount, leaving the average family £450 better off.

He added: "We are a party of fair taxation, and we say local taxation should be based on how much you earn."

Mr Kennedy said his party rejected "hidden taxes" and was promoting just one tax-raising measure to pay for its promises on tuition fees and free personal care.

"99 per cent of people will not pay more tax under this proposal - but the benefits will be for 100 per cent of people in our society."

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