Southwark is getting better with the Lib Dems. Don't let Labour ruin it.

8.14.31pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 12th Apr 2006

Councillor Nick Stanton (leader) launches the Liberal Democrat manifesto for Southwark with Councillor Lisa Rajan (Community Council Chair), Simon Hughes MP, Councillor Catherine Bowman (deputy leader) and Ade Lasaki (candidate in South Bermondsey ward)

Southwark Liberal Democrats have officially kicked off their campaign to win a majority of seats on Southwark Council with the launch of their manifesto 'It's About You'.

The manifesto sets out detailed policies and plans for the next four years in housing, community safety, regeneration, health and leisure, education, and the environment and transport.

It highlights six key pledges that the Lib Dems promise to fulfil:

• Keep council tax rises below the London average

• More powers for community wardens to tackle anti social behaviour and street drinking

• Open 3 new secondary schools

• Double recycling to 30%

• Refurbish or replace all our leisure centres to 21st century standards

• Build 3,000 affordable homes to rent or buy

The Lib Dems will focus their election campaign on their record of four successful years, during which time the six key pledges of 2002 (the '6 to Fix') have all been implemented.

Commenting, Cllr Nick Stanton, Liberal Democrat Leader of the council, said: "It's not often that a politician can say they have done everything they promised to do. The Lib Dems are really proud that, even with minority control of the council, we fulfilled the six key promises we made to Southwark residents back in 2002 and much more. "We also turned round a failing education service, made tough decisions to put regeneration projects back on track, and invested £9 million in making Southwark cleaner, greener and safer. And we did all of this whilst reducing council tax from being one of the highest in London to one of the cheapest.

"This year we are pledging to keep council tax low, give our wardens more powers, double recycling, refurbish our leisure centres, and build new schools and affordable homes. We believe these are the things that will make Southwark an even better place to live. We have proved to our residents that we will deliver what we promise. Southwark is getting better and we must not let Labour ruin it."

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, added: "The borough of Southwark is a great place, but it still has the potential of being much better. Our ambition as a party and as community representatives is to reduce inequality, increase opportunity, improve the quality of all the public services, and make all our housing and outdoor environment safe and pleasant places we are proud of.

"After nearly 40 years of Labour government locally, my colleagues have made an excellent start in their first four years as the largest political party in Southwark. They deserve to be re-elected. They also deserve to be given a vote of confidence big enough to allow them for the first time to form a majority administration for the next four years.

"We are proud of our record but know there is more to do. We are ready and able to do it. We have the ambition, determination, energy and skill to succeed. We ask for the opportunity to take things forward. Please give the Liberal Democrats candidates up and down the borough the votes and mandate to continue their excellent work."

For copies of the Southwark Liberal Democrat manifesto please download from this website or email manifesto@southwark-libdems.org.uk