Greener and Fairer

10.53.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 21st Sep 2007

Ming Campbell, with his wife Elspeth, is applauded at the end of his speech at the Liberal Democrats’ conference in Brighton. Ming said the Liberal Democrats are the “only alternative” to the “cosy consensus” between Labour and the Conservatives.

Local Liberal Democrat campaigners have returned from the party's conference in Brighton with a spring in their step.

And they are already taking their message to the people of Birmingham with a campaign of door knocking and Focus newsletter delivery.

"Liberal Democrats had a great conference," said Councillor Dave Radcliffe, Parliamentary Spokesman for the new Birmingham Selly Oak constituency. "We have agreed policies that put the Liberal Democrats way ahead of the other parties on the environment and voted for radical changes to the tax system to cut national income tax for hard working people."

"This will be paid for by shifting the tax burden onto those who pollute - for example by increasing car tax on gas-guzzlers and raising the duty paid on the most polluting aircraft."

"We will also tackle head on Gordon Brown's policies that have led to greater dependency on benefits for some and a bigger gap between the rich and poor than there was under Margaret Thatcher."

"We are taking our message of greener policies, fairer taxes and a better society to residents in the Selly Oak constituency over the coming days."

"As Ming Campbell said in his leader's speech, British politics is now one against two. With Labour and the Conservatives agreed on so many of the big issues, from Iraq to taxes, we are the only national alternative to the cosy Lab-Con consensus."

"Liberal Democrats locally are ready for that challenge. And we are ready for the general election - whenever Gordon Brown calls it. The sooner the better!"

Related Links:

Ming Campbell's Speech.

Watch our "Environment: Action Now" Video.