17 September 2004
The Liberal Democrats have pulled their top policies together into a 'pre-manifesto', published in advance of their conference next week.
The only new policy included is the promise to provide free off-peak local transport for all pensioners and disabled people.
Other pledges are familiar, and include promises to replace the council tax with local income tax, abolish top-up fees and provide free personal care for older people. Under the LibDems, the state pension would increase by £25 a week.
LibDem leader Charles Kennedy said the draft manifesto was an important document setting out the party's direction up to the expected general election next year.
'[The draft manifesto] gives a clear insight into the policies we believe would improve the lives of everyone in Britain today,' he said. 'The values underpinning our agenda are freedom, fairness and trust.
'Freedom is about giving people the opportunity to make choices for themselves. Fairness is about equal access — a decent health service, a quality education.'
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