LIBERAL Democrats in Arundel & South Downs have called for a cut in income tax for people on low and middle incomes to help them beat the recession.

“Inflation is at its highest for years,” said Derek Deedman, County Councillor for Bramber Castle Division. “Residents of this area are struggling with rising fuel and housing costs. They need money in their pockets now.

“Liberal Democrats are calling for a cut in income tax of 4p in the pound. It will be paid for by closing the loopholes used by the most wealthy to avoid paying tax. And we will increase the level of tax on the most polluting activities.

“Too many people are faced with the prospect of either eating properly or heating their homes. Action is needed now to help residents Arundel & South Downs who are struggling with rising prices.

“Many residents on low incomes are paying more in tax following the government’s decision to double the starting rate of income tax to 20p in the pound. Though the government was eventually forced to come forward with a package to compensate people for the tax increase, many are still worse off.

“Cutting income tax will therefore give residents and our local economy a boost at a time when it is desperately needed

LIBERAL Democrats in Arundel & South Downs have backed plans to help small businesses survive the looming recession.

The plan by the party to boost businesses was launched by leader Nick Clegg and the party’s Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable. The plan includes:

• a substantial cut in interest rates to lower the cost of loans and investment;
• immediately overhauling the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme to improve government support for business loans;
• banks which receive government financial assistance adopting a new code of conduct on rearranging business credit and overdrafts;
• developing with energy companies an assistance package for small businesses struggling with high energy bills

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy here in Arundel & South Downs,” said Derek Deedman, County Councillor for Bramber Castle Division. “It is vital that we give them a fighting chance to get through the recession.

“The government has given a massive bailout to the banks. But ministers must now look at the bigger economy. Small businesses here in Arundel & South Downs and throughout the country generally, are suffering from the downturn. Profits are being squeezed and jobs are at risk.

“A big cut in interest rates will be a big boost to many local businesses throughout the small towns, villages (both in our local high streets and those home-based) and in the large rural area, which make up this constituency, and could mean the difference between staying open or closing down.

“Nick Clegg and Vince Cable have taken the lead with their plan to help businesses and I and Arundel & South Downs Liberal Democrats am giving it our full backing.”

The economic crisis means everyone’s worried about the future, and many are struggling to get by from day to day. The banks have been bailed out. I believe now it’s time for action to help people and their families through these tough times.

Liberal Democrats are determined to help people. We’ve put together a simple action plan that will really make a difference, putting money in your pocket, cutting unfair bills, and keeping people safe in their homes.

While Labour and the Conservatives just argue about who is to blame, Liberal Democrats are focused on practical help for people and families. There are four urgent changes we’re calling for:

1. Cutting taxes for struggling families so you’ve got more money in your pocket. The Liberal Democrats will cut taxes for people on low and middle incomes, raising them for the richest so the tax cuts are affordable.

2. Lowering energy bills so you can afford to keep warm this winter. As wholesale fuel prices fall - they have dropped 28% since August - utility companies must lower people’s bills too.

3. Keeping people in their homes, so you don’t need to fear unfair repossessions. We must ensure that banks only ever repossess people’s homes as a last resort.

4. Lower mortgage payments and cheaper business loans through big interest rate cuts. People and businesses need help paying off their mortgages and loans, so we need substantially lower interest rates.

This package of measures would make a real difference to people’s everyday lives. You can read more details at www.libdems.org.uk/recoveryplan

And you can spread the word about the action British families need by forwarding this message to friends and family.

We need to win the fight for action to help families. I take on Gordon Brown on these issues every week: but I need your help. To really represent everyone, it’s crucial that I understand exactly how people’s lives are being affected across the country. So please, get in touch with your stories about the credit crunch in your family, and your area.

Best wishes,

Nick Clegg
Leader of the Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats South East Regional Conference will take place in Worthing this year on Saturday, 25 October. The conference itself will be at the local Northbrook College in Worthing on the Littlehampton Road, and, in particular, Lib Dem members will: -

·        * have the opportunity to hear interesting people such as Lib Dem Front Bench MPs Chris Huhne, Lynne Featherstone, Steve Webb, and Norman Baker to name but a few,

·         *be able to attend a policy debate on transport chaired by Lib Dem Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker, a subject very close to our hearts here in Worthing and Chanctonbury,

·         *discuss the problems facing the European Union, with Sharon Bowles MEP and other European Election hopefuls.

It is also likely that there will be a Hustings session for the “President of the Liberal Democrats”, between three possible candidates.

Gordon Brown’s proposals to deal with the economic slowdown are too little too late, say Arundel & South Downs Liberal Democrats.

The party has published its own package of proposals designed to help people left struggling by the credit crunch. And the plans are being strongly backed by members in Arundel & South Downs.

The Liberal Democrat measures include tax cuts for low and middle income households, stopping unnecessary repossessions, action to cut energy bills and moves to stop reckless banks jeopardising economic security.

West Sussex County Councillor, Derek Deedman, said:

“Gordon Brown’s response to the economic crisis has been too little, too late.

“Here in Arundel & South Downs and across Britain people are struggling with rising bills, rising prices, and wages that aren’t keeping up.

“If the Prime Minister really wants to help people on low and middle incomes he should take the simple and obvious step of cutting their taxes, releasing billions of pounds to boost the economy.

“The Liberal Democrats have consistently called for action to cut energy bills, stop irresponsible behaviour by banks and deliver more help for those threatened with repossession. If Gordon Brown had acted when we first raised these issues we would not be in as deep a mess as we are.”

Key points of the Lib Dem Fairer Future Economic Recovery Plan

• Put more money in people’s pockets - tax cuts for people on low and middle incomes
• Stop unnecessary home repossessions and provide more affordable housing
• Make energy companies reinvest their windfall profits in cutting bills
• Extra help for people in debt or who lose their jobs
• Tough new rules to limit the excesses of the City

LIBERAL Democrats in Arundel & South Downs have thrown down the gauntlet to the Conservatives on the eve of their conference by demanding answers to questions about the economy.

Leading the charge for the local Liberal Democrats is County Councillor Derek Deedman. He said that with the credit crunch biting hard, residents in Arundel & South Downs have a right to know what the Conservatives would do to restore the economy to health.

“The credit crunch started last year but so far, the Conservatives have said a lot about how badly the economy is going, and very little about how they want the economy restored to health,” said Derek.

“If the Conservatives want people in this  area to vote for them, they should tell them what they are letting themselves in for. It seems to me that the Conservatives are either clueless about how to solve the economic problems or have policies that they want to keep hidden.

“I am therefore challenging the Conservatives in Arundel & South Downs to tell us where they stand on the big issues facing local residents.”

Derek is calling for answers to the following:

Will the Conservatives make the richest pay their fair share of tax?

The only tax proposals announced by the Conservatives are to cut Inheritance Tax for millionaires, abolish Stamp Duty on shares and introduce a marriage-based tax system which would penalise widows, those escaping domestic violence and anyone else who is not married.

Will the Conservatives continue to defend the behaviour of City fat-cat speculators?

The Conservatives have refused to criticise the City hedge funds, which have significantly worsened the recent financial crisis.

What do the Conservatives mean by sharing the proceeds of growth, and how will they do it in a recession?

Why have the Conservatives nothing to say about council and other social housing?

The Conservatives brought council house building effectively to an end when they were last in government. Now council housing is badly needed but the Conservatives have been silent about this.

Do the Conservatives now admit they got it wrong on Northern Rock?

The Conservatives failed to see the Northern Rock fiasco coming. When it did arrive they kept changing their position on how to deal with it. Now that other banks are facing difficulties will they continue to oppose state ownership on ideological grounds?

Why did the Conservatives ignore the dangerous boom in lending and house prices?

Whilst the Government let the boom in credit get out of control, the Conservatives sat idly by. Now that the housing bubble has burst, the Conservatives are happy to make political capital. Their frontbencher Andrew Mitchell MP said that the economic problems besetting the country have created ‘an incredibly good moment’ for the Conservatives.  How can taxpayers believe they will do anything to tackle the problem were they in government? (Source: ePolitix.com 26/9/08)

What is their view of house prices?

High house prices mean many people are unable to get their foot on the first rung of the property ladder. However, the Conservatives have so far failed to accept that prices needs to be more realistic. They were the first to propose a Stamp Duty holiday to get first time buyers into the market. Yet that same policy completely failed when they introduced it the last time they were in office. People did not want to buy homes which a few months later would be worth a great deal less than they paid for it.

Why do the Conservatives still support Council Tax?

The last Conservative Government introduced the unfair Council Tax in the wake of the disastrous Poll Tax. 15 years on and after it has doubled under the current Government, the Tories have still failed to tackle this flawed tax, which disproportionately hits pensioners and poor families. Indeed in West Sussex the Conservatives have increased Council Tax by 123% since they regained control of the County Council in 1997.

Derek Deedman said, “So far the Conservatives have failed to tackle any of the big issues facing families today.

“Their empty words have got them through until now, but they are no substitute for actual proposals when it comes to tackling the serious problems facing our economy. The Conservatives must stop dodging the tough choices if he really wants to establish any economic credibility with voters.”

The Lib Dem Conference in Bournemouth was the best yet, with a record attendance and great speeches - especially from Nick Clegg, Vince Cable and Chris Huhne. Go to the link to the Liberal Democrats and click on the conference section for more details.

Nick’s speech was the highlight of the Conference. The key points from his speech were: -

‘Labour cannot help people – they are a ‘zombie government’, stumbling around with no idea what to do.

The Conservatives won’t help people - they are a say everything, do nothing party, avoiding any tough policy decisions.

Nick announced the Liberal Democrat Fairer Future economic recovery plan – four steps to a better economic future -

1) Action to stop unjust repossessions

2) New approach to regulating the City - limiting the excesses of the market

3) Put in place the building blocks for future economic stability - interest rates that take house price changes into account, and independent monitoring of our fiscal rules
4) Tax cuts for families who are struggling

The Liberal Democrats are now the only party that can deliver social justice, and the only choice for anyone who wants a fairer Britain.

We will put money back in the pockets of ordinary families - tax is a means to an end and government should not take a penny more than it needs

We will make Britain the first truly green economy in the world - a huge expansion of renewable energy, and energy independence within the EU

We will change politics so that every person counts - with fair votes, an end to big donations and a stronger Parliament

We will make government ‘people shaped’, with benefits shaped around the needs of people and families, not bureaucrats.

Patients should have far more control over the care they get. So people with long term conditions get to be part of designing the care they need.

Children struggling, or falling behind, should be helped with extra support – one-to-one tuition or catch up classes, funded by a “pupil premium” which targets extra cash at deprived children.’

The latest opinion polls show that most people think the Lib Dems are now the Party in tune with ordinary people (Populus for the Times), and is reflected in the immediate change in support for the Party (YouGov for the Daily Telegraph): -

Tory down to 44%,

Labour down to 24%

Liberal Democrats up to 20%.

The first Autumn Conference with Nick Clegg as Leader starts tomorrow in Bournemouth. This is the first time the Conference will start on a Saturday and will therefore end a day earlier on Wednesday with the Leader’s speech at about 12 noon.

More Lib Dems than ever have booked to attend and I will be travelling to Bournemouth (my home town) by train on Saturday (booked before the news about the A27, see article below!).

The BBC will be covering the Conference on the BBC TV Parliament Channel, on BBC 2 from noon on Monday and Tuesday and 11 am on Wednesday. You will also be able to catch up with Conference news on BBC Radio 5 Live.  In addition don’t forget to check up on the Web.

LIBERAL Democrats in Arundel & South Downs are making their final preparations to attend the party’s conference in Bournemouth in September.

A number of members from the Chanctonbury area will be heading for the conference which will be held from Saturday 13^th to Wednesday 17^th September.

Debates taking place will include pensions, crime, eco-towns, the housing and mortgage crisis, transport and health.

“We are looking forward to a good conference and some lively debates,” said Councillor Derek Deedman, Local Party Chairman.   “We are also looking forward to speeches from leading figures in the Liberal Democrats, particularly Nick Clegg’s Leader’s speech on the final day.

“People in this area are feeling the pinch with rising unemployment, rising prices for food and energy and a collapsing housing market. So there will be a great deal of interest in the debate about the housing and mortgage crisis and in the speech of Vince Cable MP, our Shadow Chancellor.

“I am also particularly interested in the debate on our visions and values paper, Making it Happen, and on two of our proposed policies - Building a Transport System for the 21^st Century and Shaping Our World Through a Strong Europe. On Making it Happen I especially support the priorities to deliver big tax cuts for those who are struggling and to end the unfair Council Tax, to invest in clean energy instead of nuclear, and getting people out of their cars and into quality public transport. I want to see how our Transport policy will lead to improved public transport for our area, and the way Lib Dem policies will lead to the UK playing a constructive part in Europe to protect and promote our national interests, protect our citizens and further our influence in the world.

“It should be a great few days in Bournemouth which will enable the Liberal Democrats to set out our vision for Britain.”

Liberal Democrats in Arundel & South Downs have described a call by a Conservative-leaning think tank for people from towns and cities of the North to pack their bags and move to the South as appalling.

Policy Exchange, described as David Cameron’s favourite think tank in the media, claimed many towns and cities in the North were failing and regeneration would not save them. They suggested people should move to the South East instead. Policy Exchange was set up by Michael Gove, now a senior Conservative MP.

“The idea that people should abandon the North and move to the already crowded South East, where house prices and living costs are sky high, is an insult to people living here,” said Derek Deedman, Chairman of Arundel & South Downs Liberal Democrats.

“I am staggered that a think tank so close to the Conservatives is making such a call. I am appalled that they are saying that large swathes of the North can simply be abandoned and yet more pressure be put on the South East to accommodate even more houses we have no room for. This proposal is at considerable odds with the local Conservatives attacking the Labour Government for wanting more houses built in West Sussex. Once again the Conservatives don’t seem to know what they want!

“Here in Arundel & South Downs the battle is between Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives at the next general election. People should make it quite clear to the Conservatives that we don’t want any more houses in our areas unless they are affordable houses for people who already live here (but do not have their own housing).

“What the Policy Exchange has done is to highlight the lack of understanding many Conservatives have of the North and to show that they have no consistent policy on housing in West Sussex.”