LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - EUROPEAN MANIFESTO KEY POINTS
May 13th, 2009 by Richard HarkerIn our European manifesto Liberal Democrats pledge to:
Put money in people’s pockets with big, permanent tax cuts for ordinary people and families, funded by closing loopholes and unfair exemptions that benefit big business and the wealthy. There is a growing problem of companies and banks using offshore financial centres and other means to avoid paying their fair share in tax. This can only be stopped if EU countries co-ordinate better and are stricter at cracking down on offshore centres.
Create more jobs and chart a green road out of recession. The Liberal Democrats will work with our European neighbours to create thousands of new jobs by breaking down trade barriers across Europe and boosting support for green jobs. Liberal Democrats want to create new jobs in green industries, put money in people’s pockets from saving energy, and build a transport network we can all be proud of. We will encourage other European countries to put in place similar investments to ensure we emerge from recession stronger and greener than before.
Make banks work for us. British banks are inextricably bound up with banking systems across Europe. We must work together to keep an eye on how banks are operating across Europe and get a grip on the behaviour of credit institutions. We want more co-operation in Europe between national financial services authorities and the European Central Bank.
Catch criminals, sex offenders and terrorists. Our MEPs support greater co-operation between police forces such as the European Arrest Warrant that helps Britain swiftly bring back suspects to face justice in this country rather than wait for the old lengthy extradition procedures.
Protect privacy and human rights. We need guaranteed privacy safeguards on access to databases by police and intelligence agencies, including when access is given to non-EU countries such as the US.
DIANA WALLIS MEP “THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO THE HONOURABLE THING…”
May 6th, 2009 by Richard Harker
Local Liberal Democrat MEP Diana Wallis, author of the European Parliament’s investigative report into the failure of Equitable Life, has today welcomed the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s follow-up report criticising the government for sidestepping compensation for some investors in Equitable Life.
The Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report into the near-collapse of the private pension provider identified maladministration by various government departments. Despite a government apology, she has produced a report into the response entitled Injustice Unremedied.
Yorkshire & the Humber Liberal Democrat Diana Wallis MEP, a Vice-President of the European Parliament, said:
“The Parliamentary Ombudsman makes just the point we have been making: that this is a screaming injustice still waiting to be remedied. It beggars belief that the Government has still issued no more than a letter to reply to our Parliament’s detailed report of hundreds of pages setting out compelling evidence of regulatory failure.
“When will this government own up? I t should do the honourable thing and compensate the losers on the basis of justice, not need, which is a measure no court of law would use as a yard-stick. the Chadwick enquiry set up the government is just a further delaying tactic and it is good that the Ombudsman had stood up and denounced it so roundly.’
