Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrat Manifesto claims that ‘its time for something different, its time for somtheing better’. The vision in for fundamental structural changes in the way the country works to make it fair.

Liberal Democrat Manifesto at a glance...

Employment

  • Set the minimum wage at the same level for all workers over 16
  • Increase the income tax threshold to £10,000
  • Give fathers the right to time off for ante-natal appointments
  • Allow parents to share maternity and paternity leave between them
  • Extend the period of shared parental leave to 18 months when resources allow
  • Extend the right to request flexible working hours to all employees

Energy

  • Address unfairness in water charges by consulting on the implementation of the Walker review
  • Change the tariffs used by energy supply companies so that the first, essential energy you use is the cheapest

Finance

  • Impose maximum interest rates for credit cards and store cards
  • Require a competition test for all planning applications for new retail developments and establish a local competition office within the OFT
  • Regulate the parking system to remove unfairness and stop private sector clamping
  • Create a legal supermarket code and a powerful independent regulator of Britain’s food market

Crime

  • Set up Neighbourhood Justice Panels to punish petty criminals and those who engage in anti-social behavior

The Banks

  • The banks will be broken up separating low-risk retail banking and high-risk investment banking.
  • Banking levy will be introduced
  • Taxpayers’ representatives on the boards of banks owned or part-owned by the public will be encouraged to insist that banks lend fairly to viable businesses

Red Tape

  • ‘Sunset clauses’ will be introduced to ensure that the need for a regulation is regularly reviewed also working towards a ‘one in one out’ rule for new regulations.
  • ‘Gold-plating’ of EU rules will end to ensure British businesses aren’t disadvantaged

Business Rates

  • Business rates will be reformed with rates based on site value rather than rental value and will be the responsibility of local authorities
  • Small business rate relief will be automatic


The Post-Office

  • The Post Office Ltd and Royal Mail will be separated. The Post Office will be retained in full public ownership while 49% of Royal Mail will be sold to create funds for investment. 51% will be divided between an employee trust and the government
  • Improve access to banking for all with a PostBank and secure the future of the Post Office


Alcohol

  • The Liberal Democrats support a ban on low-cost selling and are in favour of minimum pricing, and will conduct detailed work to establish how this can be used as an approach to irresponsible drinking
  • The alcohol taxation system will be reviewed with a view to ensuring it tackles binge drinking but doesn’t penalise responsible drinkers, pubs and local industries