Successful LibDem Autumn Conference

5.26.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 21st Sep 2006

Ming Campbell received a standing ovation at the LibDem Conference in Brighton. In his speech he emphasised the credentials of the party, Free, Fair and Green. It was his second major speech to party members since he was elected as Leader shortly before the Spring Conference in Harrogate (see below).

The emphasis this time was on proposals to change the tax system to help save the environment. This represented a change to the policy at the general election, which was to introduce a higher rate of income tax for those earning over £100,000 a year. The Conference had supported the change by a large majority earlier in the week.

The party was clear and united in its aims, but needed to translate its radical and responsible ideas into action. The aim was to tax wealth, not work. LibDems would abolish the 10% rate of income tax, with the 22% rate reduced to 20%. This would reduce income tax for 28m people, and take 2m out of tax altogether, supporting the poorest working families.

Ming said that action was needed now to address climate change; in 10 years time it would be too late. New green taxes would ensure that all of us paid tax on the pollution we cause. LibDems were a party of substance, not spin, and the Tories had yet to prove they were not just another version of Labour. Political parties should not be glorified advertising agencies. Liberal policies were based on reducing inequality, tackling poverty and providing opportunities for those with none.

Labour's foreign policy was criticised as being neither ethical nor effective, and only in tune with the Bush administration. We were on the verge of civil war in Iraq, and Ming reminded Conference that David Cameron had voted with the government in supporting the illegal invasion. Labour had ignored calls for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, and we had to take action to address the problems in Darfur. Terrorism thrives when civil liberties are denied, and Labour's hypocrisy made matters worse.

After 18 years of Conservative rule, people had hoped for better things when Labour was elected in 1997. But Labour had squandered that opportunity. Now we had a situation where half the Labour party wanted Blair out, and half don't want Brown in! 25% of 16-year-olds leave school with no qualifications, despite the investment in education; and hospital trusts are having to close wards and sack doctors and nurses to save money. Local problems need local solutions, and not national targets set by a government that exercises central control.

Ming ended by telling party members that it was "your challenge and our future".