Liberal Democrats launch May local election campaign

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has officially launched the Liberal Democrats' local elections campaign. At the Lib Dems digital launch, Ed asked voters to send a message to the Conservatives to do more to support local communities.

Delivering his launch speech he said: "By voting Liberal Democrats this May you will be telling this Conservative Government to cut taxes for small businesses and invest more to create greener, cleaner neighbourhoods."

Liberal Democrats nationally have announced proposals for a locally-led green transition, backed by £48bn pounds of investment.

Leader Ed Davey has also called on the government to help struggling small businesses by slashing national insurance contributions (NICs) for small firms by quadrupling the employment allowance from £4,000 to £16,000.

Ed Davey has pitched the Liberal Democrats as champions of local communities across the country. He said:

"The question facing every voter at these local elections, in every community, across our country is this: do you want to keep hold of this precious rediscovery of our community? Liberal Democrats do. Because Liberal Democrats have always been about community.

"If the Conservatives were really committed to rebuilding local communities, they should be giving small businesses a tax cut to take on more staff and radically reforming business rates. But only the Liberal Democrats have clear plans to do that.

"If the Conservatives were really committed to cleaner, greener communities for our children, they would have launched a bold new investment partnership plan for a green recovery with every local community. But only the Liberal Democrats have set out plans for a locally-led green transition, backed by forty-eight billion pounds of investment.

"So, on May 6th, people have a fantastic opportunity to back their community, by backing people who believe in their community, people who will act for and with their community - their Liberal Democrat candidate."

Cllr Paul Kennedy, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson Paul Kennedy for Mole Valley, added:

"Mole Valley residents have a choice this May. They can either choose local community champions with the Liberal Democrats who get things done, or the Conservatives - who failed to stand up for our communities or the environment when they ran the Council, and have now adopted the nationalist polices of UKIP along with many former UKIP members.

"Lib Dems in Mole Valley and across Surrey will stand up for a fairer, greener more caring community.

"If you vote Liberal Democrat on May 6th, you'll get a local champion who will get things done in your community. You'll get a cleaner, greener neighbourhood where community recovery comes first and local people are listened to."