In light of the recent announcement by the Chancellor that the government will have to plug a £22 billion black hole and the subsequent budget on the 30th of October 2024, The Liberal Party notes with concern some of the announcements made by the Chancellor in the lead up to the budget.
The Liberal Party Economics Spokesperson Kayed Al-Haddad outlines an alternative 4 step approach to tackling the financial black hole and dealing with the state of the public finances.
The Liberal Party NEC
Commenting on the Labour party’s decision to increase university tuition fees, Liberal Party leader Cllr Steve Radford asserted:
“After condemning tuition fee increases as immoral and socially divisive, when in power they immediately increased them.
Is there any pledge or campaign they undertook worth a carrot?
To increase equality of opportunity and upskill the economy we Liberals have argued many of the exemptions from inheritance tax should be reduced to fund an education or business startup grant for young people.
We need an economy that goes for growth and expands opportunities for all”.
Cllr Steve Radford
Leader of The Liberal Party
When I served in a NATO headquarters, I recall getting my weekly fix of Scotland through listening to the BBC Scotland’s summary of First Minister’s Questions at the weekend. I confess it was not because I wanted to closely follow every issue. It was solely because I wanted to hear Alex Salmond. I was an RAF legal officer at the time and I therefore had to maintain political neutrality. I was however well known by my colleagues as a liberal and, perhaps aptly, I now lead the Scottish Liberal Party. I opposed Mr Salmond politically, but I was in awe of his performances in the Scottish Parliament. He made everyone else look mediocre, at best. He could receive the most challenging question, play with it, pull it apart and respond with a killer line which resulted in cheers, as opposed to bored ‘hear hears’. Though he bordered on cheerful smugness at points, I found it impossible to resist being impressed. He entertained and caught the imagination. He was the master politician of his generation. Had he joined the Labour Party in his youth and not been obsessed with independence, he would no doubt have been the Prime Minister; and probably a great one. When did we last have one of them? Whatever his talents, he did not persuade me that breaking up the United Kingdom was ever going to be a good idea; that was a bridge too far.
His fall from power was something else I witnessed. I make no comment on his personal standards (other than to note his advocate’s remarks that he was far from perfect), but I detected betrayal and – no doubt – great hypocrisy. Mr Salmond defeated the charges against him (with the able assistance of the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates). It resulted in a political mess and the start of the SNP’s long decline. A film will inevitably be made about him. That is more than can be said for many of those who took pleasure in his troubles.
Allan Steele
Leader, Scottish Liberal Party
The Liberal Party notes with anguish the escalation of violence on the Israeli Lebanese border as the region approaches the first anniversary of the brutal Hamas 7th October attack on Israel
At this point in time the region is as far away from peace as at any point in the last 12 months despite considerable loss of life and destruction.
Whilst Hezbollah has provoked Israel along its northern border for months, the recent wave of assassinations using rigged electronic devices has only served to intensify the conflict and risks drawing Iran directly into the conflict.
After 12 months of death and destruction no party can any longer claim any monopoly on pain or loss. The Liberal Party again calls for an urgent de-escalation in the region and a humanitarian ceasefire to allow the evacuation of civilians and to restore essentials public services.
The Liberal Party NEC
We welcome the apology by the Prime Minister for the systemic failures in national and local government, all of which contributed to an entirely avoidable disaster in a tightknit community.
The completion of this report over 6 years is however only one further step of the process of healing and justice.
Over 4000 buildings in the UK still retain flammable cladding and urgent progress must be made to complete the removal of this from the exterior of buildings.
We note that the report also does not look to the future and does not deal with the issue of no more high rise buildings, no more gas in flats and the wider issue of the use of cladding in the construction industry.
The Liberal Party NEC
To the Rt Hon David Lammy MP
The Liberal Party has been a long-term supporter of the campaign for the recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign country and it being welcomed into the Commonwealth.
We would urge you to give recognition to the Republic of Somaliland as a functioning stable democracy for the last 30 years and its special relationship with the UK as a former protectorate.
There are long established Somaliland communities in the UK. Many former Somaliland men served in the British Armed Forces and the merchant navy.
The Liberal Party believes wider support for Commonwealth countries and greater dialogue promotes better understanding and co-operations with many sovereign states which values their historic links to the United Kingdom.
Yours Sincerely,
Stephen Graham,
Secretary to the Liberal Party NEC
The Liberal Party views with disgust and anger the continued civil violence and mindless destruction currently gripping several urban areas in the UK.
The party believes that a senseless minority, driven by largely imaginary grievances have exploited contentious issues such as immigration and attempted to vilify asylum seekers and minority groups most specifically, Muslims.
Those fermenting such actions have become embolden by the previous failure of the police and government to contain protest matches at the tail end of the Covid lockdown and to deal firmly but fairly with quasi-legal assembles and marches.
Whilst social media has been used to mobilise local marches and gathering there is no evidence of a systematic attempt to organise the wave of violence the country is experiencing.
We view with pride the response of many communities caught in the crossfire as they attempt to repair and renew after the senseless destruction of vehicles and property.
Liberal Party NEC
The Liberal Party views with alarm the chancellor’s assertion that tax increases will be necessary in the October budget to balance a newly emerged £22bn shortfall in funding.
The party believes that ample scope exists for reforms of the tax system, including numerous tax rebates and allowances to balance the budget without either cuts to government spending or benefits such as the winter fuel allowance.
We believe that the Labour party risks being accused of mis-leading the electorate if it campaigns on a solemn election manifesto pledge not to raise taxes, but then rows back on this, however pressing they claim the situation to be.
Economic growth to fund spending can be stimulated by better support for small businesses and SME (such as increasing the VAT threshold to £150,000), who create economic activity, prosperity and employment in local communities.
These sectors offer the best avenue to increase productivity, tax receipts and reduce unemployment.
Liberal Party NEC
The Liberal Party views the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump with horror and revulsion. The party condemns any form of political violence, which has no place in any democratic system of government or society. Whilst the motives of the attack remain unclear it has been a reminder of the volatile political climate and the need for moderation and engagement with others of all political believes and inclinations. The Liberal Party wishes President Donald Trump, and the other victims of the shooting a speedy and full recovery after their trauma.
The Liberal Party NEC
Dear Rachael Reeves,
Firstly, congratulations on your appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer and we must welcome you on your aspirations for growth
Small businesses, social enterprises and charities can all play a part in this.
May we ask you consider taking 3 simple steps to assist this sector.
Cllr Steve Radford
Leader of the Liberal Party
