Liberal Party Presidents Introduction - A Manifesto for Interim & Post Pandemic Recov - Printable Version +- LIBERAL TALK (http://talk.liberal.org.uk) +--- Thread: Liberal Party Presidents Introduction - A Manifesto for Interim & Post Pandemic Recov (/showthread.php?tid=703) |
Liberal Party Presidents Introduction - A Manifesto for Interim & Post Pandemic Recov - ReadingLib - 06-30-2020 There has never been a situation that has changed the political discourse of a country and the economic journey as the Covid-19 pandemic has. Economically the right-wing agenda of cutting public expenditure and services and a pure focus on individual profit has been replaced by debate over public investment assisting businesses, workers, and services. The unthinkable has become the norm. We have a Conservative government forced to see that Government investment is needed to ensure the economy and society does not plunge into recession. Who would ever have thought of Boris Johnson as being a resurrected Lord Keynes? The task for us as Liberals is not to sit back but to seize the change in the political agenda. We must ensure that those in casual work and the low paid are not forced to suffer excessive tax rises to fund the public deficit when the Covid-19 crisis is over. We must ensure that ‘clapping for health workers’ is a platform to ensure that investment in public health is restored and maintained. Whilst private businesses have been given meaningful funding, local councils hit by increasing costs and reduced income are still left in limbo. As we go to print, there is every possibility several major cities in the country are on track to be declared bankrupt. We Liberals have long argued we need more public health investment for preventive health care. It should not shock anyone, that heavy smokers and those overweight have disproportionately been subject to fatalities during this crisis. We need community health education more than ever, yet in some cities like Liverpool our long-established community health workers are being made redundant. This manifesto is a development on some of our policies as a response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. A true Liberal agenda is needed now in Britain more than ever. We hope our vision resonates with yours and that you will join us in the fight for more progressive and pragmatic approaches to the way we run government, enable individuals and support communities in the UK. Cllr STEVE RADFORD President of the Liberal Party |