Simon McDougall leads largest delegation to Brighton conference

9.20.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 16th Sep 2007

Leader of the Arun Liberal Democrats, Councillor Simon McDougall has lead one of the largest teams from Bognor Regis and Littlehampton to conference in Brighton to take part in national debates and train-up on how to serve Arun residents better. Representatives include Berni Millam, Martin Lury, Catherine Morrish, Barbara Roberts, Mark Foster and Ros Kissell.

The themes of this years conference are:-

The Environment - Action Now

The central theme of the conference is "The Environment - Action Now". With the policies in our climate change paper we will become the first major British party to map out the route to a carbon neutral Britain. Running through all our policies is a green thread that signals our commitment to combating climate change. Under our proposals, the UK would set the green standard for others to reach.

A Fairer and Greener Tax System

Building on the Green Tax Switch plan adopted by the party a year ago, proposals will be put to the conference for the setting up of a Future Transport Fund, using the proceeds of new charges on road freight and internal air flights (excluding 'lifeline' flights) to double investment in Britain's railways over the next five years. The tax system will also be made fairer, with tax cuts for those on lower incomes paid for by removing loopholes exploited by the rich, as well as increases in environmental taxes.

Freedom from Poverty, Opportunity for All

Radical new proposals to reduce poverty and tackle inequality in Britain will be put to the conference on Tuesday. Under Labour inequality has increased and social mobility has decreased. Our plans will reverse Gordon Brown's dependency culture and create a society of genuine opportunity where instead of treating the symptoms of inequality, we treat its causes - poor educational opportunities, unemployment, bad housing and unstable families.

Upbeat and Ready for a General Election

The Liberal Democrats will be ready for the general election, whenever it comes. We will expose the cosy consensus which exists between the Conservatives and Labour on so many issues. We will continue the principled and consistent opposition that we so effectively provide in Parliament. While Gordon Brown and David Cameron fight the battle of spin and PR, we will take them on, and beat them, in the battle of ideas, demonstrating the politics of substance that the British people want and deserve.