Lib Dem Policy 3: The Freedom Pass
Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, supported by Lib Dem Parliamentary and Council candidates, has called for the age of qualification for a Freedom Pass to be raised immediately from 60 to 65. The Government has introduced a phased increase over 10 years. See our Freedom Pass page for the current chart laying out the effects.
Raising the qualifying age now means that people who are 60 this year would not get a pass until 2015, next year until 2016 and so on.
If you vote Liberal Democrat – this is what you’re voting for.
Traffic Flow Scheme Vetoed by Lib Dems
A permit scheme by Mayor of London Boris Johnson designed to give councils the power to turn down or refuse roadwork schemes has been shunned by the ruling Lib Dem administration in Kingston!
The London-wide scheme makes it a criminal offence to carry out road-works above a certain threshold without permission. Twenty-five London boroughs have already signed up; meaning three quarters of all roads in the capital will be covered by the permits by early next year, allowing for a reduction in the 36% of traffic delays caused by road-works in London.
However, Cllr Bob Steed, Executive Member for the Environment, has said despite the ‘current problems’ blighting the Royal Borough’s highways, he is still ‘not quite sure of the benefits’ of the scheme. He has refused to sign up to the code and said ‘we want to see how it goes.’
The Conservative Group has pledged to re-evaluate the scheme if they are elected in the forthcoming local elections. Leader Cllr Howard Jones said ‘Interminable traffic jams and hold ups caused by road-works result in increased carbon emissions, angry motorists, and damage the local economy. We see no good reason for the Administration’s refusal to sign up.’
London Assembly Member for South-West London Tony Arbour has questioned why the Lib Dems would ‘rather play party politics than join the Mayor in working to cut road-works.’
Latest local ‘In Touch’
You can view our latest In Touch publication in PDF format here.
Lib Dem Policies 1: the Mansion Tax
First proposed by Vince Cable, Lib Dem ‘Shadow Chancellor’.
What is it?: It’s a levy of 1% on the capital value of all dwellings valued at more than £2million (originally he proposed £1million, but backed off when it was pointed out that his constituency and those of Mr. Davey and Ms. Kramer contained several such dwellings!). This would mean, for those affected, a levy of £20,000 straight off.
Comments: A piece of Socialist ‘soak the rich’ politicking. Vince is ex-Labour. Superficially attractive if your home isn’t worth £2m. Would depend on the valuation and who made it. A lawyers paradise! – would lead to numerous costly valuation challenges – after all, if your house is valued at £1,999,999 you pay nothing – but at one pound more, you’re out of pocket to the tune of £20k! Also capable of extension to lower levels once introduced – remember he started with £1million! Inflation will drag in more people anyway. Think about the capital value of your home now compared to what it was, say, 15 years ago.
If you vote Liberal Democrat – this is what you’re voting for.
More anon!
Lib Dems try having it both ways
Not surprised? Follow this link to read more!
New posts on crime and education
See our Election 2010 – Issues page for the latest positions on these issues.
Surbiton Forum 