LibDems attack 'raving right' Tory plans

2.58.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 22nd Sep 2007

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Quinton has said that the economic plans laid out by John Redwood are as far to the right as Labour were to the left in the 1980's 'Labour were rightly labelled the Loony Left under Michael Foot, well this is the Raving Right.

'It looks like every businessman who put up a way to make their life easier has had their idea rubber-stamped. It would mean chaos for the average hard-working person in Welwyn Hatfield wanting to buy a home.

'Just as the US home loan crisis has hit UK stock prices, Redwood advocates deregulation of mortgages; that alone should mark out his ideas as barking mad. Then there is the abolition of most protection for people at work. Add in getting rid of data protection and money laundering regulations.

'If anyone is in any doubt as to who he plans to benefit, look at his tax plans - get rid of inheritance tax, reduce stamp duty and corporation tax; no help whatsoever for those on lower earnings, or for pensioners.

'Clearly he has not been reading about the recent floods, as he wants a new city on flood plains in the Thames Estuary. Finally he wants Heathrow airport to be greatly expanded, bringing even more road traffic to the south-east and more noise for those under the flight paths.

'As David Cameron's poll ratings sink ever lower, he seems to have lost the confidence to bin this rag-bag of far-right prejudices. Our fear for the residents of Welwyn Hatfield, is that this shift to the far right may provide further encouragement to the Tory dinosaurs who run our council, in their quest to privatise all but the kitchen sink.'

Contact numbers

Nigel Quinton: 01707 372673 and 07971 860415