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Kennedy details 10 key election themes
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| Kennedy: Launching PR blitz |
Charles Kennedy has unveiled his key campaign themes for the general election with a 10-point pledge to voters.
The Liberal Democrat unveiled the party's key policies ahead of the expected May 5 poll.
The party is unveiling a £100,000 pre-election PR offensive with full page newspaper advertisements.
The advertisements, which appeared in the Daily Mail, the Times and the Independent, detail 10 government policies which the Lib Dems oppose.
More police
The party is pledging 10,000 more police officers but would scrap plans for ID cards.
It also confirms that the Lib Dems will raise income tax on those earning over £100,000 a year.
"We are promoting positive policies for Britain. It is different approach from that of the other parties. I am determined that we will fight a campaign which concentrates on real solutions to the real problems that people face in Britain everyday," explained Kennedy.
"A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a positive vote. We have shown that we can stick to our principles.
"We opposed the war in Iraq. There were no weapons of mass destruction. We were misled by Tony Blair and George Bush. We say never again.
"Our policies would make Britain better, fairer, safer. What they demonstrate is that the Liberal Democrats are the real alternative to Labour and the Conservatives. Increasingly, I believe it's an alternative that people really want."
Fairness
The Lib Dems are highlighting key policies designed to appeal to particular sections of the electorate and demonstrate its commitment to fairness.
The existing council tax system will be replaced with a local income tax scheme, while the elderly population will be entitled to free personal care.
And university tuition fees would be abolished, says the party, in a move designed to appeal to middle England.
Party chiefs will also be hoping that a promise of extra taxes on high earners and opposition to the Iraq war will help the Lib Dems gain the support of disillusioned Labour traditionalists.
Kennedy's move comes a day after the party continued its election push with a pledge to boost Britain's businesses by slashing red tape and helping smaller firms.
Iraq
Deputy leader Sir Menzies Campbell and Baroness Shirley Williams also turned out to kick start the party's campaign.
Sir Menzies said that the Lib Dems would benefit from the Iraq factor.
"Public trust in government matters. The British people are entitled to expect integrity and competence in government - which the Iraq war has put in doubt," he said.
"The Liberal Democrats would restore trust, transparency and accountability to British politics.
"We opposed war in Iraq; and would ensure that any similar British action - unjustified and illegal - would never be repeated."
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