Every vote for the Liberal Democrats will be a vote to scrap the Council Tax.

4.45.29pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 11th May 2004

Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy today launched the Party's Local Election campaign saying every vote for the Liberal Democrats will be a vote to scrap Council Tax.

Mr Kennedy was joined at the launch by Lib Dem Local Government Spokesman Edward Davey MP and Leader of Milton Keynes Council Cllr Isobel Wilson.

At the launch the Liberal Democrats produced a number of local manifestos highlighting some of their main local election themes around the country - providing value for money services, protecting the environment, committed to safer communities, investing in affordable housing and leading economic regeneration.

Charles Kennedy said:"Every Liberal Democrat vote in this year's local elections will be a vote to scrap council tax. Council tax is now Britain's most unfair tax and it's time it was replaced with a fair tax related to people's ability to pay.

"Only the Liberal Democrats are campaigning to scrap council tax, and only the Liberal Democrats have a positive alternative. Many people on low and modest incomes would see a tax cut under our plans, which are based on best practice in America and Europe.

"With the Government concluding their review of council finance just after these local elections, people have a real chance to influence that policy and send a clear message to the Government that they want the end of the unfair council tax.

"Launching "Liberal Democrat themes for the 2004 local elections", Edward Davey MP said:"Liberal Democrats will be fighting these local elections on local issues, from council tax to a cleaner, safer local environment.

"Unlike the other two parties, the themes of our launch today have come from local parties working hard to represent their communities. In cities run by Liberal Democrats like Cambridge, Norwich and Liverpool, people have seen the benefits of our emphasis on local priorities such as cleaner streets, strong budgetary control or tackling anti-social behaviour. In places where we are challenging for power like Sheffield, Kirklees and Newcastle, local Liberal Democrats are setting out ambitious agendas for improved recycling, better management of housing and economic regeneration.

"With these campaigns, Liberal Democrats will be strong contenders in this year's local elections and we expect to make net gains in terms of council seats as we build on a record of action with a promise of more.

"Isobel Wilson, Leader of Milton Keynes Council since the Liberal Democrats took control in 2002, said:"In Milton Keynes, Liberal Democrats have made a huge difference in just two years.

"On the environment, we have doubled the recycling rates we inherited from Labour to 25% and improved the Council's Audit Commission rating for environmental services from a low 2 to the maximum 4.

"The Government's own inspectors confirm that Milton Keynes Council has made significant improvements to social care, revenues and benefits, special educational needs and waste recycling services over the last year. The inspectors reported that the council has made substantial changes to enable it to deliver lasting service improvements and that we have the potential to significantly improve the way we work and the services we provide to local people. Most importantly, we made all these improvements while keeping our Council Tax below the national average.

"Labour's centralised approach to local government can make running a council very difficult, especially with its plethora of financial controls, but in Milton Keynes we are succeeding thanks to huge efforts and a strong clear direction."