Making it Happen - Autumn Conference 2008

5.23.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th Sep 2008

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg (centre) committed the party to delivering social justice and fairness for Britain.

Local Liberal Democrats have returned to Birmingham from Bournemouth following a successful party conference. "Only the Lib Dems have clear plans to help hard pressed families and create a fairer Britain," said Parliamentary Spokesman Dave Radcliffe.

After a lively debate, the Liberal Democrats backed the ambitious Make it Happen document, setting out the party's vision and values as the basis for developing the next General Election Manifesto. Make it Happen includes plans to:

• Deliver big tax cuts for people on low and average incomes paid for by taxing pollution and closing tax loopholes used by the rich.

• Invest more in the education of the most disadvantaged children.

• Deliver on an ambitious green agenda, including forcing energy companies to pay a large share of their windfall subsidy to help homes use energy more efficiently.

In his keynote conference speech, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg presented the Liberal Democrats as the party best placed to deliver social justice and fairness for Britain. Nick's speech focused on the current economic difficulties, which he described as 'a firestorm', "raging through our financial system, ignited by reckless bankers and fuelled by complacent politicians."

Nick also:

• Said he wanted to make Britain the first truly green economy in the world.

• Spoke of the importance of achieving energy independence within the EU.

• Set out his aim of making government 'people shaped', with benefits shaped around the needs of people and families, not bureaucrats.

Related Links:

Watch Nick Clegg's speech.

Make It Happen.