Thurrock Lib Dems Launch Local Election Manifesto

2.41.55pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Apr 2007

Earnshaw Palmer: We are positive about what we can do if we are given the opportunity to represent our fellow residents on the council

Thurrock Liberal Democrats today unveiled their manifesto for the local elections,which can be viewed on-line at www.thurrocklibdems.org.uk/manifesto2007/

Earnshaw Palmer, former councillor for Chafford who is hoping to regain the seat he narrowly lost in 2004 said, "This year's election could prove a turning point in the governance of Thurrock. We are positive about what we can do if we are given the opportunity to represent our fellow residents on the council."

"Our remit is that as an alternative, we offer more pragmatic solutions in addressing the issues that matter to people. We are also best placed to deliver on social justice agenda, inclusion agenda and prosperity agenda better than the other political parties."

"Nationally we have been proved right on the big issues and the government have adopted huge chunks of our policies without openly admitting it for example - Independence of the Bank of England, 1p extra on income tax for improvement in specific public service (we initially advocated this for education at the time) but the government has now implemented this policy with respect to health."

"On other key issues from leadership on environmental concerns and erosion of civil liberties and our principled opposition to tuition fees, identity cards and the war in Iraq, we have made the right calls nationally"

"Locally there are major concerns about the powers of Thurrock Thames gateway and its lack of democratic accountability."

"Clearly we have demonstrated good judgment and foresight to be considered as a credible alternative to New Labour and the Conservatives and our manifesto for the local elections is a testimony to this fact."