Summary of Liberal Party policies
Democracy
Reforms designed to improve the standard of political debate and encourage longer term thinking.....
- no "three line whips"
- use of "juries" rather than referenda
- the Single Transferable Vote electoral system
Civil liberties
Advancing individual and minority rights.....
- stronger laws against discrimination and recognition of the rights of minorities
- a statutory Bill of Rights
- restore rights of peaceful protest
The environment
Policies which are realistic but reflect long term thinking.....
- longer lasting products
- research into sustainable sources of energy
- an EU "pollution police force"
- stronger laws on animal welfare (and full enforcement)
Transport
An integrated transport network.....
- planning policies which reduce the need for travel
- investment in public transport (buses, metro systems and railways) to entice people away from cars
The economy
Creating a stable economy.....
- Community Employment Schemes to create real new jobs
- more flexible working arrangements
- measures to increase employee power and encourage co-operatives
- employee, consumer and community involvement in state owned industries
- more effective measures against monopolies
- combine the tax and benefit systems to eliminate the "poverty trap"
- land value taxation
Education
Making schools answerable to the local communities they serve.....
- end the National Curriculum
- smaller schools sharing resources on a "collegiate" basis
Health
Bringing health back under democratic control.....
- cooperation between (elected) health authorities and hospitals instead of an artificial market
- more openness about health priorities and greater emphasis on prevention
Homelessness
A concerted effort could go a long way to solving this problem if the political will existed.....
- restoration of benefits to 16 and 17 year olds
- more low cost housing and use of empty properties
- cooperatives and self-build schemes
Crime
Tough penalties may be popular but prevention and detection are more effective.....
- more use of civilian staff to release police time for detection
- better anti-theft devices in cars and crime prevention to be considered when designing housing estates
Europe
A "Commonwealth of Europe" mainly concerned with peace and the environment rather than with economics.....
- oppose a centralised economy with a single currency
- the European Parliament to be the main decision making body
- reform of the Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policies
Peace
Working to resolve conflicts at an early stage.....
- a stronger UN, less under the control of the major powers
- nuclear disarmament
- transfer resources to "non-military security"