Conference will be the busiest ever

1.19.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 12th Sep 2007

Conference will be the busiest ever

Twenty policy motions; ten set piece speeches; four consultative sessions; two urgent issue debates; three question and answer sessions; three presentations; five reports from Party committees; three reports from Parliamentary Parties; two business motions; six awards; 280 fringe meetings; 157 training sessions; and 68 organisations with stands in the Exhibition Area. The Liberal Democrat Conference 2007 in Brighton is going to be the busiest in the Party's history. The only thing missing is constitutional amendments.

There are five major policy motions that stand out for developing party policy in key areas likely to form the backbone of our general election manifesto: climate change, tax reform, immigration, freedom from poverty, and better government.

Climate Change: Transform Britain into an international leader in tackling climate change, making the country carbon neutral by 2050. Call for:

• major improvements to the rail network and the construction of a high speed rail line, paid for by tolls on lorries using motorways;

• a commitment to 100 per cent carbon free, non-nuclear electricity by 2050;

• the use of green taxes to make the polluter pay, using the revenue to cut income tax;

• introduction of 'green mortgages' to enable people to make their homes more energy efficient.

The tax system should be fairer, simpler and greener.

Tax Reform: The tax system should be fairer, simpler and greener. Call for:

• replacing Council Tax with Local Income Tax;

• cutting the basic rate of national Income Tax by 4p;

• increasing environmental taxes, introducing an aircraft tax and higher vehicle duty for new cars with higher exhaust emissions;

• returning business rates to local control;

• reforming Capital Gains Tax and increasing the Inheritance Tax threshold.

Immigration: The benefits of economic immigration can only be secured if the immigration system is competent and fair, planned, and integration is pursued in parallel with immigration. Call for:

• improving border controls with the introduction of a National Border Force and reintroducing exit checks at all ports;

• increasing the price of work permits paid by businesses to employ immigrant workers and using the money to re-train British workers in sectors affected by immigration;

• opening a pathway of earned citizenship for people who have lived in Britain unauthorised for at least ten years - subject to a series of tests such as English language and public interest.

Freedom from Poverty: Create a fair society, in which everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential, free from the barriers imposed by poverty and inequality. Call for:

• extending access to early years education;

• greater provision of affordable housing;

• a new 'one-stop' benefits agency, and use of the private and voluntary sectors to provide back-to-work support;

• simplifying the benefits system;

• restoring the link between basic state pension and earnings;

• subsidising improvements in household energy efficiency for those on low incomes.

Also, there will be a vote on whether to extend the adult rate of minimum wage to those aged 16 and above.

Better Government: Britain should have a written constitution fit for a modern democracy. Call for:

• a constitutional convention, involving members of the public along with parliamentarians, to draw up a written constitution to be endorsed in a national referendum;

• citizens' juries, similar to those in criminal trials, to assess new public policy;

• strengthening the Human Rights Act and Freedom of Information Act;

• any incoming government not to take power after an election until Parliament has endorsed its legislative programme;

• more scrutiny of government appointments and decisions;

• electoral reform, including STV for both Houses of Parliament, votes at 16 and fixed parliamentary terms;

Full details of the motions and all the other business at Conference are on the Party's national website at:

www.libdems.org.uk/conference