18/04/2005
Lib Dems pledge to increase police numbers
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to provide extra police to tackle crime on the streets if they win at the next general election.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy announced plans to provide 10,000 extra police and 20,000 Community Support Officers, as well as provide officers with hand-held computers and the latest speech recognition technology to help reduce paperwork.
Mr Kennedy also pledged to scrap plans for compulsory identity cards, suggested by the Labour government. Labour have already said that the issue will be one of the top priorities should the party be re-elected on May 5, claiming that they are a necessary measure to deal with terrorist threats.
Mr Kennedy said: “Crime causes real misery for the victims and no set of statistics can measure the human cost of crime. The fear of crime undermines whole communities. The elderly and vulnerable can feel defenceless, which prevents people from living their lives to the full. That’s why our package is based on visible policing.
“We need our police officers out in the community, not stuck in the station. In an eight-hour shift, the average police officer only spends an hour and a half on patrol. We need to shift that balance. To help achieve this, we will give the police the technology they need and simplify the bureaucracy they face when reporting.”
Both Labour and the Conservatives have criticised the Liberal Democrats for being soft on crime.
Last week Conservative co-chairman Dr Liam Fox accused the Liberal Democrats of having the “wrong priorities” on crime. He said: "Rather than putting themselves firmly on the side of the victims of crime, they are more concerned about the rights of the criminals themselves. That's why they want to give prisoners the right to vote, why they think too many criminals are sent to prison, and why - as this poster shows - they support plans to scrap mandatory life sentences for murder and also for repeat rapists. "
Labour’s campaign spokesperson Fraser Kemp also recently criticised the Liberal Democrats policy on crime. He said: “The Lib Dems' plans to give jailed killers and rapists the vote shows how out of touch the Lib Dems' values are with hard working families. Murderers and rapists do not deserve a say in who governs the country.”
(KMcA/GB)
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy announced plans to provide 10,000 extra police and 20,000 Community Support Officers, as well as provide officers with hand-held computers and the latest speech recognition technology to help reduce paperwork.
Mr Kennedy also pledged to scrap plans for compulsory identity cards, suggested by the Labour government. Labour have already said that the issue will be one of the top priorities should the party be re-elected on May 5, claiming that they are a necessary measure to deal with terrorist threats.
Mr Kennedy said: “Crime causes real misery for the victims and no set of statistics can measure the human cost of crime. The fear of crime undermines whole communities. The elderly and vulnerable can feel defenceless, which prevents people from living their lives to the full. That’s why our package is based on visible policing.
“We need our police officers out in the community, not stuck in the station. In an eight-hour shift, the average police officer only spends an hour and a half on patrol. We need to shift that balance. To help achieve this, we will give the police the technology they need and simplify the bureaucracy they face when reporting.”
Both Labour and the Conservatives have criticised the Liberal Democrats for being soft on crime.
Last week Conservative co-chairman Dr Liam Fox accused the Liberal Democrats of having the “wrong priorities” on crime. He said: "Rather than putting themselves firmly on the side of the victims of crime, they are more concerned about the rights of the criminals themselves. That's why they want to give prisoners the right to vote, why they think too many criminals are sent to prison, and why - as this poster shows - they support plans to scrap mandatory life sentences for murder and also for repeat rapists. "
Labour’s campaign spokesperson Fraser Kemp also recently criticised the Liberal Democrats policy on crime. He said: “The Lib Dems' plans to give jailed killers and rapists the vote shows how out of touch the Lib Dems' values are with hard working families. Murderers and rapists do not deserve a say in who governs the country.”
(KMcA/GB)
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19 April 2005
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The Liberal Democrats have pledged to cut the NHS’ ‘hidden’ waiting lists of people awaiting diagnosis. Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy promised to provide £350 million to help cut waiting times for diagnosis for around 500,000 people who, he said, are “languishing” on these “hidden” waiting lists.
Lib Dems pledge to cut ‘hidden’ NHS waiting lists
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to cut the NHS’ ‘hidden’ waiting lists of people awaiting diagnosis. Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy promised to provide £350 million to help cut waiting times for diagnosis for around 500,000 people who, he said, are “languishing” on these “hidden” waiting lists.
26 April 2005
Veteran labour MP defects to Lib Dems
Veteran Labour MP Brian Sedgemore has announced his defection to the Liberal Democrats. Mr Sedgemore, who was Labour’s MP for Luton West from 1974 – 1979 and for Hackney South & Shoreditch from 1983, described New Labour as “dead” and urged voters to give Prime Minister Tony Blair “a bloody nose” at the election by voting for the Liberal Democrats.
Veteran labour MP defects to Lib Dems
Veteran Labour MP Brian Sedgemore has announced his defection to the Liberal Democrats. Mr Sedgemore, who was Labour’s MP for Luton West from 1974 – 1979 and for Hackney South & Shoreditch from 1983, described New Labour as “dead” and urged voters to give Prime Minister Tony Blair “a bloody nose” at the election by voting for the Liberal Democrats.
14 March 2005
Lib Dems announce plans to cut 'unfair' health charges
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Lib Dems announce plans to cut 'unfair' health charges
Free eye and dental checks and an independent review of prescription charges have been pledged by the Liberal Democrats as they unveiled their health policy package. The party's policy also includes plans to tackle diagnostic waiting times, which they have described as "Labour's hidden waiting lists".
11 January 2012
Cameron Opposes Scotland's Call For Independence
Britain’s Prime Minister has urged Scotland to reject calls for independence if a referendum is held on the subject. David Cameron has said that he believes in the Union and that a break –up would be damaging to UK economy.
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Britain’s Prime Minister has urged Scotland to reject calls for independence if a referendum is held on the subject. David Cameron has said that he believes in the Union and that a break –up would be damaging to UK economy.
21 April 2005
Liberal Democrats to tackle student debt
The Liberal Democrats have promised to remove the fear of debt from university students by scrapping tuition and top-up fees and increase grants for poorer students. The party announced that a Liberal Democrat government would provide grants of up to £2,000 per year to poorer students.
Liberal Democrats to tackle student debt
The Liberal Democrats have promised to remove the fear of debt from university students by scrapping tuition and top-up fees and increase grants for poorer students. The party announced that a Liberal Democrat government would provide grants of up to £2,000 per year to poorer students.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
