Lib Dem plans under fire

Labour and the Conservatives have turned their fire on the Liberal Democrats following the launch of the party's manifesto.

Both parties could lose out to Charles Kennedy's troops when voting takes place on May 5.

The Lib Dems hope to make gains in the south, at the expense of the Conservatives, and in Labour's heartlands further north.

Kennedy said his party was now the "real alternative" to Labour.

But deputy prime minister John Prescott warned voters they would be worse off under Lib Dem plans to replace the council tax with a local income tax.

"All around the country the Liberals are telling the British people that they would axe the council tax while concealing the true cost of their plans," he said.

"But this morning they have been forced to admit that a couple on average earnings would have to pay more under their plans.

"The Lib Dems' plans say that the average national rate of local income tax under their plans would be 3.75 pence.

"For a couple on average earnings with a combined income of £41,000 this would mean an increase in income tax of £1,170.

"Compared to an average council tax per dwelling of £908, this would leave a couple on average earnings over £260 worse off under the Liberal plans."

'Soft on crime'

Meanwhile, the Conservatives have accused the Lib Dems of being soft on crime.

Tory co-chairman Liam Fox launched a poster campaign which quoted a Lib Dem policy paper as saying: "We'll abolish mandatory life sentences for murder."

Fox said: "On May the fifth, people who have been let down by Labour may be tempted to vote Liberal Democrat."

"But if those people are concerned about crime being out of control, about our immigration system being in chaos and about their taxes being too high, that would be the wrong thing to do.

"They may think that by voting Liberal Democrat they are supporting their local candidate.

"But every vote for the Liberal Democrats at this election is a vote to support higher taxes, softer sentences and uncontrolled immigration.

"Because that’s what the Liberal Democrats support."

He added: "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.

"It's why they think too many criminals are sent to prison.

" And it's why – as this poster shows – they support plans to scrap mandatory life sentences for murder and also for repeat rapists."