Lib-Dems are the party for rural matters
THOUSANDS of low-paid workers in the Westcountry would be better off under a Liberal Democrat government, Vince Cable, the party's economics spokesman, is to tell an audience in Cornwall today.
Mr Cable joined forces with party campaigners in the region this weekend ahead of the General Election, widely expected in May.
After door-stepping in Redruth on Saturday and meeting local people in Bodmin yesterday, the MP for Twickenham will today use a speech to Westcountry business leaders and countryside campaigners to outline why the party understands rural life.
In acknowledgement of the region's low-wage economy, he is likely to heavily promote tax plans that would mean 20,000 Cornish workers who earn less than £10,000 a year would no longer pay any income tax.
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He is expected to add that workers who earn more than £10,000 a year will stand to gain £700 a year under Lib-Dem plans.
Mr Cable, widely praised for his proclamations on the recession, will appeal to voters at the coalface of the Westcountry economy by promising to fight for a "fair deal" for Cornish farmers, fishermen and tourism businesses.
He is likely to underline the fact that as the Lib-Dems boast a parliamentary presence from the Scottish Highlands and the uplands of Mid-Wales through to Cornwall, it has the wherewithal to safeguard rural communities and their services.
He will also renew his party's pledges to complete the dualling of the A30, invest in affordable housing and build a green economy.
At St Mary's Parish Centre in Bodmin yesterday, Mr Cable signed copies of his autobiography, Free Radical, and his analysis of the global financial crisis, The Storm.
Dan Rogerson, Lib-Dem MP for North Cornwall, said: "Vince is credited by people in all parties, having made the right economic calls through this financial crisis.
"He predicted many of the problems and was first to come up with solutions.
"His analysis in The Storm is incisive and comprehensive in equal measure.
"And Free Radical gives a picture of a man who has experienced joy and tragedy, and whose expertise and credibility was fostered outside politics before he got elected in 1997."
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by Steph McWilliam, Callington
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 2:52PM
“Thelonius - Who was it said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result? I think our democratic system is a good example, isn't it? Still, we do have a choice down here and there are many people I've spoken to who are going to try something different this time. Cornwall does have a good track record of showing independence. Let's hope this election will be the start of a new era in politics.”
by Thelonius, Penryn
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 2:50PM
“The worrying thing about all of this is that I am only the 12th contributor to this article. That means there are thousands of people out there who are either not bothered, or more likely, have their heads in the sand and will go and vote for one of the "main 3 parties" again, because that is what they have always done.”
by Cok-a-nee, underthetable
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 12:48PM
“Lies,lies,lies,lies and even more lies the only politician that didn't lie was Screaming Lord Sutch.Don't vote it only encourages them!You think you have a voice?then think again,but the tune will start playing and you'll all start dancing won't you.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 12:15PM
“:) "Lib-Dems are the party for rural matters"
In their dreams Ian!”
by Onan Hag All, Kernow
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 10:47AM
“The Lib Dems lied to Kernow when they promised us an Assembly.
They lied us into accepting a unitary authority which supports them not us. Look at the devious expenses dealings of Andrew "employing my daughter" George and his ilk.
Trust the Lib Dems not, trust the Sons Of Kernow to return us to a nation state within Europe, free of the shackles of the once great Britain, and the never United Kingdom.”
by trembath, Pezance
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 10:05AM
“London parties for Londoners Sons of Cornwall for ALL the people of Kernow. A vote for the Lib-dems is a vote to give power to the people of Surrey”
by Caroline, North Cornwall
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 8:32AM
“Owen.
Wind turbines as part of the grid have to be backed up when they are running by a gas powered station as the grid cannot cope with big power fluctuations - it crashes. This power station has to be running on idle whenever there is wind power coming into the grid. It is only turned on when the wind is blowing. Therefore intermittent production is a problem.
If you want to know more about the benefits and problems with each sort of renewable energy, then I'd recommend the Renewable Energy Foundation.
Wind has a lot of problems, not least the claim made by some supporters that the wind is always blowing somewhere in the country. The REF did a study in 2006 that shows it doesn't. Since then there have been headlines regarding the wind failing to blow in the UK during the coldest weather in January.”
by Owen, By the wind turbines
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 5:11AM
“Caroline. Wind turbines work well precisely because they are part of the grid, that's why we can cope with their output it's part of a national input which takes energy from where it is available and uses it as part of the mix. Read up the IET info on their website and if you don;t know who they are then don't spout about Wind energy until you do.
As for the politics. the Lib dems are campaigning to ignore riparian rights on rivers in Wales, is this a party of the country? I used to think they could be, but that's done it for me.”
by Amanda, Liskeard
Monday, March 01 2010, 10:35PM
“Oops! Meant to say this is NOT my first general election!”
by Mark, Torpoint
Monday, March 01 2010, 10:29PM
“I agree Tommy. I've lived here for 60 years and every time there has been a Tory MP or a Tory government this area has been ignored. The only one who was any good was Robert Hicks, but he was a liberal anyway - he just joined the Tories because it seemed the sensible thing to do to get into power.
Amanda, I had Karen Gellard from the Liberals around too the other week. I really liked her and my Lib Dem councillor here is really good.
I haven't met the Tory woman but my wife has and she didn't like her much. I'm worried she'd just get to London and have no say because she's not one of Cameron's chums.
I think Mr. Breed has done us all proud over the last decade or so and if what people have been saying about the new lady for the Lib Dems is anything to go by, she'll do really well for us here too.”