LibDems launch power play with ‘green’ energy pledge
Five key policies are at the heart of Liberal Democrat attempts to break into an election contest which has been dominated by Labour and
the SNP.
Until now the Scottish LibDems have been content to talk up their opponents as a Punch and Judy act, but with the publication today of their manifesto it is their turn to come out fighting. SLD leader Nicol Stephen needs to raise his profile and today's manifesto will be written in the first person and couched as a personal set of pledges from him.
The Herald understands that at the top of this agenda will be firm pledges of not just grants for those installing energy projects at their homes but also one-off council tax rebates. Most of the LibDem proposals have been trailed. They will involve:
250 new schools and 1000 teachers for smaller classes, and an hour of physical activity every day for every pupil. Employing 1000 new sports coaches and PE teachers.
100% of electricity from renewables by 2050. Major new support for wave and tidal power and microgeneration in homes, schools and offices. Thousands of jobs. Billions of pounds of investment.
100 new local health centres for faster diagnosis and treatment closer to where people live, with 2000 extra nurses and 200 extra dentists to ensure that all adults and children have access to a NHS dentist.
Seven-year sentences for knife crimes and tougher new community sentences.
Lower business rates to give Scotland a competitive advantage over the rest of the UK, and a new Innovation Agency based on the Finnish model.
A substantial cash fund will be announced to back those householders prepared to take place in this "renewables revolution".
The manifesto pledges: "The fund will also need to support private homeowners looking for grant support to install microgeneration or improve energy efficiency in their homes.
"As government action helps to drive down purchase and installation prices, payback periods will tumble and those households making the green switch will see recurring savings growing much faster.
"To drive take-up further, we will seek the legislative changes necessary so that homeowners who install new microgeneration during the term of the next parliament can benefit from a one-off £200 rebate on their local tax bill. Those who also invest in energy efficiency measures will be eligible for a further £100 rebate."
Leading North-east LibDem Maitland Mackie yesterday called for Labour and Conservative voters in the Gordon constituency to vote tactically to block an Alex Salmond victory and "ensure that the concept of independence is well and truly dumped for ever".
He said he had no personal animosity against the SNP leader, who once defeated him in Banff and Buchan, but added: "The massive defeat so inflicted on the SNP's leader would give Scotland, the UK and the rest of the world a very clear message that Scotland will have no truck with independence."
However, Mr Mackie, chairman of the family ice cream business and at one time a prominent Conservative in the north-east, revealed himself to be out of step with LibDem policy when he said he did not favour any more powers being given to Holyrood.
"I don't think more autonomy is required for Holyrood," he said."
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Posted by: martin, Glasgow on 11:51pm Tue 10 Apr 07
personal pledges from a nobody leading a party of nobodies who have been part of the ruling coalition in Scotland for 8 years. They are good at trying to avoid any blame for anything and change policies at the drop of a hat ( or an opinion poll that shows how unpoular their flagship policies are)
They are obviously in trouble in Gordon too as shown by theappeal to Tories and Labour voters. [bold]What a shower of numpties!![/bold]
personal pledges from a nobody leading a party of nobodies who have been part of the ruling coalition in Scotland for 8 years. They are good at trying to avoid any blame for anything and change policies at the drop of a hat ( or an opinion poll that shows how unpoular their flagship policies are)
They are obviously in trouble in Gordon too as shown by theappeal to Tories and Labour voters.
What a shower of numpties!! Posted by: james on 12:39am Wed 11 Apr 07
The Lib Dems have been an utter failure on renewables. They've spent £13m on marine renewables, compared to, say the £500m+ they propose to waste on the M74.
They are full of warm words, and their actions as Ministers always betray their voters. The media can surely do a better job of exposing their failures.
The Lib Dems have been an utter failure on renewables. They've spent £13m on marine renewables, compared to, say the £500m+ they propose to waste on the M74.
They are full of warm words, and their actions as Ministers always betray their voters. The media can surely do a better job of exposing their failures.
Posted by: Peter Cherbi, Edinburgh on 3:11am Wed 11 Apr 07
If anyone wants an example of how LibDem representation works for a region - just look at the Borders. Almost 100 years behind the times, despite having LibDems at Westminster for decades, & Holyrood, which has done nothing other than protect private feifdoms.
I wouldnt trust any of their policies, but cant helo wondering if they will come out with 'green mortages 'for their msps next ... greener by way of less of a paper trail of fiddles, of course ...
If anyone wants an example of how LibDem representation works for a region - just look at the Borders. Almost 100 years behind the times, despite having LibDems at Westminster for decades, & Holyrood, which has done nothing other than protect private feifdoms.
I wouldnt trust any of their policies, but cant helo wondering if they will come out with 'green mortages 'for their msps next ... greener by way of less of a paper trail of fiddles, of course ...
Posted by: David Nummey, London on 8:48am Wed 11 Apr 07
In Surrey the Lib Dems are a centre-right alternative to the Tories, offering the likes of Mark Oaten. In London they've got Simon Hughes, who's actually a very well respected MP, but who is really in a different party from Mark Oaten in terms of politics.
In Scotland we've got them talking green. But in reality voting for another motorway cutting right through some of Glasgow's poorest areas. Maybe air quality is only an issue for Surrey voters.
The Lib Dems sometimes seem just like a brand. You use the name for recognition, and then do anything you want. They could teach Richard Branson a few tricks.
In Surrey the Lib Dems are a centre-right alternative to the Tories, offering the likes of Mark Oaten. In London they've got Simon Hughes, who's actually a very well respected MP, but who is really in a different party from Mark Oaten in terms of politics.
In Scotland we've got them talking green. But in reality voting for another motorway cutting right through some of Glasgow's poorest areas. Maybe air quality is only an issue for Surrey voters.
The Lib Dems sometimes seem just like a brand. You use the name for recognition, and then do anything you want. They could teach Richard Branson a few tricks.
Posted by: David, Inverness on 1:42pm Wed 11 Apr 07
So, tell me this, how would a vote against Alex Salmond in Gordon mean that Scots didn't want independence???!!!! What rubbish...only a Scotland-wide vote in a referendum would do that!
This guy is clearly a Tory in Libdum clothes...just goes to show you can't trust the LibCons as far as you could throw them!
So, tell me this, how would a vote against Alex Salmond in Gordon mean that Scots didn't want independence???!!!! What rubbish...only a Scotland-wide vote in a referendum would do that!
This guy is clearly a Tory in Libdum clothes...just goes to show you can't trust the LibCons as far as you could throw them!
Posted by: Edward, Edinburgh on 3:39pm Wed 11 Apr 07
Watched that arrogant SOB Nicol Stephen spout on lunchtime news that the LibDems will definately not support a referendum on independence and he even hinted that he would lead a coalition, only if SNP dropped the referendum.
Not very democratic!, Find them a waste of time, any LibDem voter should look into there consciences and ask themselves this 'If I want democracy, why am I voting for a party that will not allow the Scttish people there democratic right!'
Watched that arrogant SOB Nicol Stephen spout on lunchtime news that the LibDems will definately not support a referendum on independence and he even hinted that he would lead a coalition, only if SNP dropped the referendum.
Not very democratic!, Find them a waste of time, any LibDem voter should look into there consciences and ask themselves this 'If I want democracy, why am I voting for a party that will not allow the Scttish people there democratic right!'
Posted by: Stuart Douglas, Edinburgh on 7:05pm Wed 11 Apr 07
I hope people aren't fooled by the Lib Dems and their supposed green credentials.
They've overseen the biggest road building project in Scotland in a generation and voted in favour of GM crops.
Does that sound like a party who care about the environment?
No matter whether you care about the environment or not, how can you trust a party that says one thing and does the opposite when it's in power?
Bunch of chancers - hope they get sent packing along with their pals Labour.
I hope people aren't fooled by the Lib Dems and their supposed green credentials.
They've overseen the biggest road building project in Scotland in a generation and voted in favour of GM crops.
Does that sound like a party who care about the environment?
No matter whether you care about the environment or not, how can you trust a party that says one thing and does the opposite when it's in power?
Bunch of chancers - hope they get sent packing along with their pals Labour.
Posted by: to on 10:53pm Wed 11 Apr 07
A vote for the Lib Dem is a Labour saving device
A vote for the Lib Dem is a Labour saving device
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