Time for Change - Plan for the Future (Rugby Liberal Democrats)

Time for Change - Plan for the Future

March 29, 2005 12:00 PM

Warwickshire County Council Candidates 2005

Liberal Democrat Candidates at Shire Hall, Warwick

Liberal Democrats have launched their County Council election campaign today at Shire Hall Warwick by releasing their election manifesto entitled "Time for Change - Plan for the Future".

In their manifesto Liberal Democrats recognise that the County Council has been declared as excellent, but go on to state that no one political party has had overall control over the last four years. The manifesto presents evidence demonstrating that if Labour had run the council in the last four years it would be costing the taxpayers of Warwickshire even more in council tax than it is at the present time, and we would also have seen a greater increase in bureaucracy.

Likewise if the Tories had been running the council over the last four years we would have seen services cut and slashed: for example in this years budget (2005/06) a cut off over £2million pounds from social services. This is the second year running that the Tories have hit at the most vulnerable and echoes the national party.

Liberal Democrats over the last four years have been the effective opposition in Warwickshire and are the real alternative to both Labour and Tory. Liberal Democrats have worked for the benefit of all the residents of the county.

Cllr. Jerry Roodhouse Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the County Council said in introducing the manifesto:

" This manifesto clearly lays out a Liberal Democrat vision for Warwickshire.

Over the last four years the Liberal Democrats have made a real difference by pulling Labour costs back to realistic levels and stopping the slash and burn policy of the Tories.

Our manifesto calls once again on the Government to 'Axe the Tax'. Council tax is unfair and restricts local choice.

People ask if their vote makes a difference. Anyone looking at the evidence that we put together into this document can clearly see that by voting Liberal Democrat you do make a difference, and that the Liberal Democrats are the real alternative to both Labour and Tory".

The manifesto has 4 key themes

A Caring County - this section covers services to children; education, adulthood and social care for the older people along with the development of Warwickshire's culture and arts.
A Clean & Green County - covers recycling - we are not supporting the drive towards incineration of waste but will invest into recycling. Roads, rural communities and increasing investment into transport.
A Safer County - work with the Police greater investment into anti social behaviour policy, street lighting. Fire & Rescue invest into Trading Standards services that have a direct impact such as under age drinking and substance misuse
A County accessible and giving value for all - One-stop shops. Seek greater efficiency 2.5% savings year on year to be made. Keep the campaign going to "Axe the Tax".

We say:

Whoever takes control after the election on May5th will have a massive agenda. Decisions will have to be made about the future of Children's services, closing Libraries and the pressure on Fire & Rescue services.

Liberal Democrats in this manifesto have clearly laid out how it will work over the next four years. This document will be the touchstone on how we will approach these issues.

The full manifesto document is available to download in the "Download Area" of this web site, in the folder "County Council Elections 2005".

Rugby Liberal Democrats