Around the Web: Liberal Democrat manifesto
3:03pmAnalysis from Pete and Daniel is available and here’s what the rest of the Web makes of the Lib Dem’s manifesto:
Nick Robinson notes that the Lib Dems have made fiscal responsibility and fiscal fairness their
standalone issues:
'But you don't need to reach for a calculator or even call our friends at the Institute of Fiscal Studies to ask this question - if you were in government and could really find £17bn, would you actually be prepared to give it all away?
Nick Clegg's answer to that question is an interesting one. He argues that the public will only back what he once called savage cuts in public spending if they see that the cake is being fairly distributed.'
The FT’s Phillip Stephens thinks that, for all their policy failings, Clegg and Cable are having a good campaign.
'The Liberal Democrats are having a good campaign. There is no reason to suppose that the publication of the party’s manifesto will change that.'
Henry Porter believes that the Liberals are leagues ahead on Civil Liberties:
'By far the best undertakings on liberty come in the Liberal Democrat manifesto, which is hardly surprising, given that it has been stalwart in its defence of liberty under all three of its leaders since the last election.
The party will introduce a freedom bill, regulate CCTV, reduce local council surveillance, restore the right to protest, protect free speech, offer guarantees to investigative journalism, scrap ID cards, end plans to spy on email and internet connections, scrap ContactPoint, reduce pre-charge detention to 14 days and scrap secret evidence.'
And Adam Boulton is on to Cable’s sums:
'The third party’s manifesto makes a virtue of simplicity working through Lib Dem policies and pledges in a pamphlet which looks like the sort of thing you’re sent by mortgage lenders. Its unique selling point is the tables of tax spending and saving proposals included at the back. Whatever holes will be picked in the Lib Dem sums they are the only main party to open themselves to direct scrutiny in this way. The picture revealed is one of a major turn from the better off to the lower paid in tax, modest extra spending, and ambitious savings. Businesses and the wealthy will certainly pay more if Cable is ever to be Chancellor.'
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mark c
April 14th, 2010 3:50pm Report this commentdid i realy hear 50% CGT ??
Bocephus
April 14th, 2010 4:27pm Report this commentAre the Liberals really going to protect freedom of speech? I have my doubts. That means people can say what they like about foreigners and gays? Free speech isn't always pretty.
The liberals won't even protect the right of 2 smokers running a 2 man business to smoke in their own office. Very freedom of choice. We need more real liberals not phony ones.
Justicia
April 14th, 2010 4:33pm Report this comment"Whatever holes will be picked in the Lib Dem sums they are the only main party to open themselves to direct scrutiny in this way"
That will raise their image in the public eye to no end. I'm certain that the electorate at large think that all 3 parties are fibbing about their spending to some degree, but having it in the open makes them seem more open.
Damon
April 14th, 2010 5:09pm Report this commentThe manifesto mentions that the LibDems will "pilot" Local Income tax, and hence vastly increase marginal tax rates. Are they not being somewhat shy in the scant publicity they are giving to this proposed major change to the UK tax system
jaybs
April 14th, 2010 5:16pm Report this commentThis sums up Vincent Cable, so full of himself, but he has Never been seriously questioned until the weekend, he has been given a very easy ride. Voters need to look deeply into what Cable has said about policy in the last few years and how he has flip flopped, Vince is good at self promotion and trying to make himself look Big, now is the time to look at this man seriously, Clegg has no real substance is just someone aiming for high office of PM like a day dreamer.
Roy Simpson
April 14th, 2010 5:40pm Report this commentThe Lib Dem tax policy, which they hope to find £17bn to cover their policy to raise tax thresholds to £10,000 include:
Higher Capital Gains Tax, at rates up to 50%.
A £5 billion tax on pensions savings.
A tax on more valuable homes.
An aviation tax – the Lib Dems holiday tax.
£5 billion of unspecified tax rises by closing so-called loopholes which they do not name.
Heaven help us!
Beer Moth
April 14th, 2010 8:57pm Report this commentOnly managed to stomach the first ten minutes of Clegg's interview with Paxo. When asked what his plans were on the ishhhhhhhh issue, he stated that we would still keep on shipping in foreigners - presumably because we have forgotten how to breed and we need tomorrow's workforce who will never themselves grow old and become a drain on services - but we will 'place' them in areas of greatest need. Inverness and Lincolnshire were singled out as such.
And what should we do to prevent them catching the next train to live with their relatives in Luton or Oldham?
It was midway into the white noise of Clegg's response, that I was moved to get up and go give the carbine a strip down and lube.
Dorothy Wilson
April 15th, 2010 9:59am Report this commentBocephus:
Don't forget: there is none so illiberal as liberals when they come up against someone who disagrees with them.
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