Leadership candidates speak - to Kent (North Thanet Liberal Democrats)

North Thanet Liberal Democrats <info@north-thanetlibdems.org.uk>

Leadership candidates speak - to Kent

February 24, 2006 12:52 PM

All three candidates performed impressively at the Tunbridge Wells hustings (Wed 22nd Feb). The attendance was well over one hundred.

Following the formal speeches, questions were put - and answered in detail - on gender balance in candidate selection, children's rights, local government structures and regional planning.

Sir Menzies Campbell:

was passionate for LibDems to bring the same zeal to fighting poverty as we do to fighting for a zebra crossing;
emphasised engaging party members in policy development;
insisted that social housing must be part of any development - and must remain as social housing;
"Nothing less than being a party of power will satisfy me - and nothing less should satisfy you."

Simon Hughes:

stressed "the party of community";
promised vigilance against the encroaching power of multinationals. And against the cloning of our towns and villages;
urged us not to be afraid to raise income tax for higher earners. And to face up to the high tide of personal debt;
believed planning permission should be subject to a sufficient commitment to development at affordable prices;
proposed that development land should be rated as if it had already been developed;

Chris Huhne:

believed we must quantify and spell out the green taxes needed required to change behaviour.
insisted however there should be no increase however in the overall level of taxation.
demanded dramatic decentralisation, as local people no longer have the power to hold local services to account.
advocated an expansion of unitary authorities.

Hughes stressed the "freedom party" and Huhne "the party of fairness". This suggests a perfect symmetry in relation to our general election slogan - with Campbell a candidate very strong on trust.

We expect a close result...