Why the Liberal Democrats are the Real Alternative

9.40.52am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 11th Apr 2005

The Liberal Democrats have been the only effective opposition to Tony Blair's arrogant Labour government in the last Parliament, and we now are the real alternative to his policies at this election, too.

I voted against the Iraq invasion, together with every other Lib Dem MP. The Tories voted for it. I voted against student fees. The Tories were split. They abstain so often, no wonder their voting record is so poor.

In the next Parliament it is the Liberal Democrats who have carefully costed plans to abolish student fees, to scrap the unfair Council Tax, and to introduce free long-term care for the frail elderly, to help them with basic tasks like washing dressing and feeding. In contrast the Tories say they want to cut £35 billion from spending plans, including cutting the Immigration Service in half! We will scrap ID cards and recruit 10,000 more police instead - yet another issue where the Tories were split.

As Hazel Grove's MP for 8 years I have fought hard for our community. We now have a restart of the A555 scheme after the Stepping Hill link was cancelled by the Tories, and the rest by Labour. Tory spending cuts mean investment in vital local schools and transport projects would be at risk. Fortunately the polls show they are heading for yet another crushing defeat. A strong Liberal Democrat voice in Westminster will guarantee our area gets the attention and the policies that local people need.