LibDem?

LibDem Sympathies?
When I meet former LibDem voters and sympathisers on the doorstep we tend to agree on many issues.  We want the best for our families, our children and our environment.  Perhaps above all, we want a society that cares for all.

But when I ask if they would consider voting for the Conservative party there is sometimes a hesitation for the older generation. (Perhaps you felt the hesitation when you read that sentence!)

I think it's a hesitation about the 'perceptions' held about Conservative politicians in the past, rather than the policies on which we agree.

It's sometimes frustrating for me because I know that Conservative policies are the best way to achieve a more caring society based on personal freedom and responsibility.

I am delighted that many people have felt able to move on from the LibDems to support Conservative policies in recent months and years.

It is courageous to review long-held perceptions about a particular party - or some of the people in that party.  And I ask you to at least keep an open mind.

In my many years experience, those who people who have voted LibDem in the past are decent people but, sadly, many LibDem politicians and policies can often be rather different.

LibDem politicians seem to prey on people's goodwill by pretending to be the nice guys who are all things to all people.

I have learned a thing or two about LibDem policies and what they actually do if they make it into office.

I simply ask that you are bold enough to consider Conservative policies, break with the past and support a party that aims for a more caring society based on personal freedom and responsibility to others.

LibDems - The Reality

In Windsor they talked of a 1.5% council tax rise.  In office they immediately increased council tax by 20% over three years.

In Windsor they talked of solving the parking problems.  In office they increased parking charges to residents by 300%.

Nationally they promised a £100 rebate on council tax bills.  In office they reneged immediately.

Nationally they appear to be all things to all people.  In Scotland they voted against local income tax but in England they are in favour.

LibDem links
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/libdembriefing/ldbrhome.htm
www.dirtyliberals.iainlindley.com
www.libdemwatch.co.uk
www.jonathanlockhart.com/2004/11/equidistance_or.html

The following selection of observations do not apply to all LibDem politicians, but do seem to be fairly common:

LibDems Politicians Seeking Election
In essence they seem to use & mislead their supporters.

Not caring. They campaign as a 'caring' party to win you over, but their policies differ from their campaigns.

Not local. They pretend to be the 'local' party, when many of their MPs and candidates don't live in their constituency before election - or even afterwards in the case of their party leader.

Not open. They resort to dirty tricks and 'personal attacks' on other candidates, rather than focus on what they will do for you.

Not honest. They carefully and cunningly attempt to manipulate voters with half truths and biased surveys. (e.g. In Windsor they circulated a survey asking if people agreed with the Conservatives closing a care home. The truth was that a sub-standard care home was closed in the interests of residents more than 4 years earlier - a home inherited from the previous LibDem council!).

Not active. They send stacks of literature that talks about the 'action' they have taken, but when read carefully you realise nothing has actually happened.

They say it themselves. Perhaps their underhand techniques are best exposed with a phrase from their 'effective opposition' campaign guide for Liberal Democrat councillors that says "be wicked, act shamelessly, stir endlessly"

Some LibDem Policies

Pensions & Savings
- Increase tax to up to 40% on private pensions for anyone paying top rate of tax. This includes teachers, nurses and police officers.

Education
- Abolish all church and grammar schools, and get rid of A-Levels.

Tax
- Impose a local income tax that will cost the average 2 person household an extra £624 each year.

- Increase tax to 50% for those earning over £100,000 a year.

- Tax parking spaces at work, at the shops and at leisure facilities.  It will start at around £150 each year.

- Charge VAT on new homes costing an average £11,000

- Introduce road tolls throughout the country

- Increase national insurance to pay for regional assemblies.

- Tax 4x4 vehicles; even if they are more economical and have a smaller footprint than a standard estate car.

- Tax dogs with a dog tax licence for owners

- Tax plastic bags

Raise more than 40 other taxes many of which will hit the least well off the hardest

Drugs
- Legalise cannabis and downgrade ecstasy

- Allow 16 year olds buy & use alcohol

- Allow 16 year olds to drink in pubs like adults

Crime
- Be lenient on young offenders, by offering them holidays instead of firm guidance and rehabilitation.

- Scrap mandatory life sentences for murderers and repeat rapists.

- Stop first time burglars going to prison

Sex & Pornography

- Legalise brothels

- Allow 16 & 17 year olds to buy and view pornographic material

- Allow 16 & 17 year olds to visit sex shops

Euro & Europe Union
- Hand over control of Britain to the European Union by signing the EU Constitution

- Give up control of our currency to Europe by joining the Euro

- Give up Britain's veto on EU asylum policy.  They want the EU to handle asylum claims (Safe Havens, Lib Dem Policy Paper, September 2004).

Defence
- Hand over control of our armed forces to the European International Command

When you next have a LibDem politician visit or write to you, you might like to consider some of the above.

NOTE: Correct as of 15th June 2005