10 Lib Dems calls for emergency recovery programme (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

10 Lib Dems calls for emergency recovery programme

November 2, 2011 10:51 AM

compass • [Nov 01] Stephen Knight & 9 other Lib Dems* write: WE write to express broad support for the Compass Plan B proposals reported in the Observer (30 October). We are Liberal Democrat members who have campaigned hard for decades in national and local elections. We have also engaged in our party's policymaking. For both reasons, we take seriously the policies on which we fought the last general election, in particular the belief that the Conservatives' economic proposals would have dire consequences.

In May 2010, our party signed up, through the coalition agreement, to a series of policies against which it had recently campaigned. But out of responsibility to the country, Liberal Democrats must now tell the Conservatives that they will no longer support policies which are not working. That is necessary even if one is only concerned about deficit reduction. As the Compass Plan B states, it already "looks as if the government will miss its deficit target reduction and, as the economy slows, the deficit could increase".

As an alternative, there must be a series of radical measures including an emergency recovery programme, a fairer tax system and social investment. Plan B proposes these. Liberal Democrats who still believe in the manifesto on which they last fought a general election should support them.

* Cllr Ron Beadle 2010 parliamentary candidate for Newcastle North, Ruth Bright 2005 parliamentary candidate for Hampshire East; London borough of Southwark councillor 1994-2002, Prof Richard Grayson2005 & 2010 parliamentary candidate for Hemel Hempstead; vice-chair, Liberal Democrat federal policy committee 2008-10; director of policy, 1999-2004, Prof Stephen Haseler, Simon Hebditch, Dr Jo Ingold, Linda Jack Member, Liberal Democrat federal policy committee; parliamentary candidate 2010 for Bedfordshire Mid and 2005 for Luton North, Cllr Stephen Knight Leader, Liberal Democrat group, London borough of Richmond, No 2 on Liberal Democrat List for 2012 London assembly elections, Margaret Phelps Parliamentary candidate 2010 for Witham and 2005 for Cynon Valley, Nick Rijke 2001 parliamentary candidate for St Albans

• New Report: Plan B [Compass]

• 100 leading economists tell George Osborne: we must turn to Plan B [Guardian Oct 31]

• We economists have a Plan B that will work, Mr Osborne [The Observer Oct 29]

• Lib Dem Voice [Nov 01]

• Plan B is crazy [Tom Papworth Liberal Vision Nov 02]