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Lib Dems in renewable revolution Lib Dems in renewable revolution
(about 4 hours later)
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have put a bright future for young people and a renewable energy revolution at the centre of their Holyrood plans.The Scottish Liberal Democrats have put a bright future for young people and a renewable energy revolution at the centre of their Holyrood plans.
Their 2007 election manifesto will also set out plans for seven-year sentences for knife crime as well as "tough" community sentences. Their 2007 election manifesto has also set out plans for seven-year sentences for knife crime as well as "tough" community sentences.
Leader Nicol Stephen said it was a bold and ambitious agenda for Scotland.Leader Nicol Stephen said it was a bold and ambitious agenda for Scotland.
The party said it also wanted 100 new local health centres, 200 extra NHS dentists and 2,000 nurses.The party said it also wanted 100 new local health centres, 200 extra NHS dentists and 2,000 nurses.
The Lib Dems have set out plans to have all of Scotland's energy generated from renewable sources - and claimed their "renewables revolution" would create thousands of jobs. The Lib Dems have set out plans to have all of Scotland's energy generated from renewable sources and claimed their "renewables revolution" would create thousands of jobs.
Renewables 'powerhouse' Other key policies include smaller class sizes with 1,000 extra teachers, one hour of physical activity for every child every day and a cut in business rates to below those in the rest of the UK.
Other key policies included smaller class sizes with 1,000 extra teachers, one hour of physical activity for every child every day and a cut in business rates to below those in the rest of the UK. Seven-month plan
Mr Stephen claimed his party was about "getting things done".Mr Stephen claimed his party was about "getting things done".
He said: "Our manifesto is a vision for a bright future for Scotland.He said: "Our manifesto is a vision for a bright future for Scotland.
"A Scotland which is positive about young people and offers excellent education and unrivalled opportunities."A Scotland which is positive about young people and offers excellent education and unrivalled opportunities.
"A Scotland with 100% clean, green energy - the renewables powerhouse of Europe.""A Scotland with 100% clean, green energy - the renewables powerhouse of Europe."
The party has set out a plan for the first seven months of power, including;
  • June - new opportunities for youngsters including an hour a day of physical activities
  • July - establishing new seven-year sentences for knife crime and a tough regime of community sentences
  • August - 1,000 extra police officers to cut crime
  • September - establishing the 100% renewable electricity target
  • October - start of a programme to build 100 new local health centres and recruit 2,000 extra nurses
  • November - cutting business rates to below English levels
  • December - implementing plans to cut class sizes with 250 new schools and 1,000 extra teachers
    • The manifesto launch took place in Edinburgh and was attended by former UK leader of the party, Charles Kennedy.
    Before the launch itself, Mr Stephen said: "These are bold and ambitious plans for a Scotland that is pro-education, pro-environment and pro-economy.
    "Our priority is to be positive about young people and the renewables revolution that will create thousands of new jobs.
    'Positive policies'
    "People are fed up with Labour but they don't want independence.
    "They want a party that gets things done for young people, for health, for the environment, and a party that's going to focus on positive policies for a bright future for Scotland."
    Earlier, he defended the party's plans for a local income tax, claiming 70% of people would gain.
    Mr Stephen told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We believe council tax is unfair and discredited and local income tax, because it is based on the ability to pay, will be good for pensioners and those on low incomes, and fair and understandable for everyone."