Liberal Democrats will cut people’s income tax bill by £700

10.50.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 20th Apr 2009

The Liberal Democrats will fight the next general election with a pledge to cut income tax bills by £700 for people on low and middle incomes.

The party will promise to raise the income tax personal allowance to £10,000 by closing tax loopholes exploited by big businesses and the wealthy. Measures which will be used to pay for this proposed increase in the personal allowance include: Restricting tax relief on pension contributions to the basic rate  Taxing Capital Gains at marginal income tax rates, allowing for indexation and retirement relief Tackling Stamp Duty Land Tax avoidance and Corporation Tax avoidance Subjecting benefits in kind to National Insurance Contributions as well as income tax and applying National Insurance to multiple jobs Switching aviation taxes from per person to per plane and increasing taxation on non lifeline domestic flights.

Speaking at the launch, Nick Clegg said:

"These plans will give money back to the people who really need it at the time when they need it most.

"It is time to end the unfairness that sees big businesses and the wealthy treating taxes as something to be easily avoided, leaving everybody else to pay out.

"For too long governments have been letting companies stash their money in offshore tax havens while taxpayers are left to foot the bill.

"Over time a tax system has developed that creates loopholes for the wealthy and does nothing for those who really need help.

"People who say there isn't enough money to make our tax system fair are wrong. Our plans wouldn't add a penny to the overall tax burden, but they would spread that burden far more fairly.

"Far from making this reform difficult, tight Government finances and a harsh recession make it absolutely vital. It will help millions of low and middle income taxpayers who are most likely to spend money so helping the wider economy.

"The Liberal Democrats will create a fundamentally rebalanced system that is fair for all, putting hundreds of pounds back into the pockets of millions of British people, and taking four million out of paying tax altogether."  

Howarth: Full-scale criminal investigation into G20 protest death needed

10.18.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Apr 2009

The video which shows the man who died at last week’s G20 protests in London being hit from behind by a police officer, has been described by David Howarth as "sickening".

Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Howarth, who attended the protests to monitor police behaviour, went on to say:

"This video clearly shows an unprovoked attack by a police officer on a passer by. It is sickening.

David went on to call for criminal investigation to find out the facts of the incident:

"There must be a full-scale criminal investigation. The officer concerned and the other officers shown in the video must immediately come forward.

"Questions must also be asked about the hyping up of the prospect of violence in the run up to the demonstrations. An atmosphere was created in which this sort of conduct became more likely."

Source: guardian.co.uk

LABOUR AND TORIES FAIL TO SUPPORT FUEL POVERTY FIGHT

1.07.57pm GMT Mon 23rd Mar 2009

Legislation aimed at ending fuel poverty suffered a setback today, when Ministers refused to give it their support and instead talked the Bill out.

The Fuel Poverty Bill sought to put into law a commitment to make homes more energy-efficient and introduce lower prices for vulnerable households.

MPs from Cornwall turned out in force to support the Private Member's Bill, introduced by the Lib Dem MP for Somerton and Frome, David Heath. However, a lack of support from Ministers, as well as Conservative and Labour backbenchers meant that the Bill did not progress.

Cornwall has some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the country. It is estimated that the issue affects nearly one in ten Cornish households, and was responsible for the deaths of 270 people across Cornwall in the winter of 2006-07 alone.

With people under greater financial pressure than ever as the recession bites, the Liberal Democrats proposed this new legislation in Parliament to cut fuel costs for vulnerable families.

Commenting, Falmouth and Camborne MP Julia Goldsworthy said:

"Fuel poverty is a stain on this country. Today represented an opportunity to take an important step forward in tackling this problem - but frustratingly the Government failed to make the most of it. As a result, many vulnerable families will continue to struggle with their bills, and needless deaths will continue as a result of the cold.

"This Bill was urgently needed; for the poorest in our communities by reducing their fuel bills; for the environment by reducing emissions; and for the economic boost it could give to struggling industries in Cornwall by creating new jobs.

Dan Rogerson, MP for North Cornwall, added:

"I am bitterly disappointed that this legislation has not made progress, largely as a result of low turnout among Labour and Conservative MPs.

"This is such an vital issue and today's vote should have been an important step towards tackling the struggle faced by thousands of people in Cornwall who are faced with the grim choice between eating and heating their home."

MPs battle for cheaper water bills

2.47.04pm GMT Thu 19th Mar 2009

The Government is being pressured by Liberal Democrat MPs to bring forward changes to water bills to cut them for most South West water customers, following a further above inflation rise in bills. South West water bills, set by the water regulator OFWAT, have been far the highest in the country since water was privatised by the Conservatives in the 1980s.

Bills for South West Water customers will increase by 4.4% this year. This means that metered customers in Cornwall will see an average bill of £395 (up £10) and the average unmetered customer a bill of £697 (up £18). However with 15,000 more customers expected to switch to meters this year to cut their bill, South West Water will only actually receive a 0.9% increase in revenue.

Commenting, Matthew Taylor MP for Truro and St Austell said:

"It is clear that it is the unfair distribution of the cost of cleaning up the UK's beaches, introduced when the last Conservative government privatised water, that has caused these unfair, unaffordable South West water bills. It is essential that this government rethinks its approach to charging, to make sure that people in Cornwall and Devon are not solely responsible for cleaning beaches which benefit the whole Country.

"More immediately, the Walker Review of water pricing will publish interim recommendations shortly - the Government needs to pledge to act fast on all recommendations which will cut bills. At a time when most families are feeling the pinch, and pensioners are seeing their savings reduce, it is all the more vital that the government acts urgently to cut bills.

"In particular, a rising block tariff would cut the bill for most households, whilst only those who use excessive amounts of water and second home owners would pay more. OFWAT has now approved a trial of this system for 1000 South West Water customers. If it works, introducing this fairer system should be a Government priority.

"Meanwhile everyone who can should get a water meter fitted - this reduces bills by an average of £400 for each household. If their home is not able to have a meter fitted, customers can still ask to get an assessed charge based on metering, which can also reduce bills."

Tyrone Harewood elected unopposed to Totnes Town Council

12.58.55pm GMT Mon 14th Jan 2008

The Totnes Liberal Democrats would like to congratulate Tyrone Harewood on his unopposed election to the Totnes Town Council. While most Town Councils are not openly political, many members of Totnes Town Council run for election as representatives of political parties.

Tyrone joins fellow Liberal Democrat Geoff Date on the council, and will be working closely with the council and with Liberal Democrats Anne Ward and Robert Vint, who represent the ward at district level.

Totnes Liberal Democrat Constituency Dinner

3.26.04pm GMT Fri 14th Dec 2007

Lembit Opik with Totnes PPC Julian Brazil

The first Saturday of November saw the Royal Seven Stars filled with Liberal Democrats as Lembit Opik came to Totnes to speak at our annual constituency dinner. With a menu of gorgeous food, plenty of enjoyable conversation and (of course) a raffle at the end, the only thing needed to complete the night was an entertaining and inspirational speech - which Lembit ably provided.

Amongst plenty of jokes and political discussion, Lembit also reveled that he planned to stand for party president when the next election takes place and that he would be in favour of hard drugs on the NHS under the right circumstances.

He rounded off the speech by saying that he truly believed that if we worked hard and didn't lose sight of the goal he believed we would be able to get Julian elected at the next general election.

Election News

11.14.42am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Apr 2007

With local elections on May 3rd, Totnes Liberal Democrats have added a number of resources to this website to make news and information about the election more accessible.

You can now find our election manifesto and a details of your local Liberal Democrat candidates, via the tabs on the left hand side of the page, and you can download a copy of our manifesto and election literature from the Downloads section of the website.

Totnes Liberal Democrats will also keep you updated as to the latest news regarding the elections. This week: Postal votes. If you want to apply for a postal vote for the elections on May 3rd, the deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 18th April. You can download a postal vote application form from the South Hams District Council website (www.southhams.gov.uk).

Julian Brazil speaks at Save Dartington College Day

5.06.25pm GMT Sun 28th Jan 2007

Julian Brazil spoke today at the Save Dartington College Day at Totnes Civic Hall. Addressing a large and enthusiastic crowd, he spoke of the progress that had been made already, with the Trust changing its position from refusing to consider the possibility that Dartington College could stay to saying that maybe it could stay. He also spoke of the possibility of the council underwriting the £20 million the Trust say is needed for the college to stay. He stated that he felt underwriting the costs was a risk worth taking, something everyone present seemed to agree with. He assured those present he would be trying to persuade his colleagues on the council to offer to underwrite the costs, and asked that everyone write to Devon County Council to show how much keeping the college in Totnes means to them. He ended by thanking Frank Denyer and Richard Gonski for their hard work.

The day continued with further speakers and live music.

If you wish to see Dartington College stay, please write to the following address:

Cllr. Brian Greenslade, Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD

First Great Western "Not Fit For Purpose"

9.52.38pm GMT Thu 25th Jan 2007

Cornish Liberal Democrat MPs participated today (24th January) in a debate on the First Great Western's dire performance. During the debate it became clear that problems exist in every area of its franchise and with every aspect of its service. All the MPs indicated that they had received huge numbers of complaints from the travelling public, covering the inadequate and perverse timetable, the collapse in reliability and productivity, enormous fare increases and the declining standard of rolling stock. This culminated in the recent action to withdraw carriages from Cornwall to address chaos in Bristol leaving Cornish travellers with only a bus service.

Colin Breed, MP for South East Cornwall, commented today,

"It is quite obvious that First Great Western is just not fit for purpose and should not even be responsible for a train set let alone a whole network. It is time to consider withdrawing the franchise.

Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro & St Austell, said,

"Reducing the on-board services, including the withdrawal of breakfast from early trains from Cornwall, is totally unacceptable penny-pinching.

Julia Goldsworthy, MP for Falmouth and Camborne, added,

"In previous years we saw rolling stock being diverted from branch lines such as Falmouth-Truro in the summer to meet demand elsewhere. We were assured that the new franchise would tackle these problems. Instead they have got worse with carriages being taken from Cornwall altogether. This is not acceptable and both the Government and First Great Western must be taken to account for this."

Right to protest should be a basic liberty - Baroness Miller

1.59.31pm GMT Thu 25th Jan 2007

On Friday, Liberal Democrat Peers will protest outside the House of Lords against the restrictions placed on demonstrations within a kilometre of Parliament.

Following the protest, the Peers will enter the House of Lords to debate Baroness Miller's Public Demonstrations (Repeals) Bill, which will remove the clauses of the 2005 Serious Organised Crime and Police Act which limit demonstrations.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Peer, Baroness (Sue) Miller said:

"In a democracy, citizens should not have to apply for police permission to peacefully protest outside Parliament. The fact that my colleagues and I have to gain permission to protest outside our own House is ridiculous.

"These laws were designed purely to stop Brian Haw protesting, and then issues about terrorism were raised to justify them.

"What these laws have actually done is waste immense amounts of police time on paperwork and on arresting people who have done nothing more than hold a placard outside Parliament.

"Surprisingly, when I requested a copy of the form to make our protest legal, I was informed that it was only available to download from Mark Thomas' web site.

"My Bill will return people's right to protest, which should be a basic liberty in any democracy."

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