Paul Larkin
Liberal Democrat Party
Ashton-under-Lyne Constituency
Address
Bootle
Changes that can lead to a fairer, better Britain
WELL, the election is finally here. At last we have the opportunity to make a change for the better.
However, that change has to be a real one, not just shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic. The question you need to ask yourself is, what type of change do you want?
The Liberal Democrats propose four steps to a fairer Britain:
Fair taxes that ensure people who earn less than £10,000 pay no tax, while those that own a property worth £2 million pay a mansion tax.
Fair start for all children at school by a direct commitment to pump billions into education to reduce class sizes and to improve standards across schools, while giving schools more autonomy so they are free to teach and are not burdened by regulation.
A rebalanced, green economy that discourages nuclear power, but encourages green energy and the expansion of public transport. This can be seen through the Liberal Democrat leadership of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority that has led to the planned expansion of Metrolink to Ashton, and the lobbying for new train carriages for rail passengers.
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Biography
MR Larkin is a former Labour party member who turned to the Lib Dems. The 34-year-old lives with wife Natasha and their two children.
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Lastly, we advocate a more open and clean politics — where donations will be limited to £10,000 — that ensures big money and corrupt donors are forced out of politics altogether, reduce the number of MPs and the ability for residents to vote out their MPs if the residents want him/her out.
In addition we have a key local priority to ensure local people have a say in their health services. We would end the fiasco at Tameside Hospital by allowing local residents to be elected to local health boards to check on the performance of hospitals and health services, alongside the un-elected members of the primary care trust who are making life and death decisions about our health.
The Liberal Democrats can win here in Tamside, with your vote we can make a change for the better. The country wants something different. The Liberal Democrats are different. We offer credibility where it is needed, a strong leader in Nick Clegg, the best chancellor in waiting with Vince Cable and hope for our common future.
So, join me and we can change things for the better, together.
