Lib Dems target female vote
The Liberal Democrats have turned their campaign focus to the female vote, pledging to end discrimination against women across the board.
Flanked by prominent female members of the party, Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy said that the plans would ensure equality.
The key proposal he hopes will win support is the citizen’s pension, based on residency not National Insurance contributions. As such, women who work part time or take time out to have a family would still receive a full state pension.
Other headline measures include a maternity income guarantee of £170 a week for new mothers, a comprehensive Equality Act, an expansion of children’s centres and free personal care for the elderly.
Speaking at the morning press conference, Mr Kennedy said: “Women have made great progress over the past decades. But many of the old injustices and inequalities remain.
“Underpinning our principles of freedom and fairness is the principle of trust. Being straightforward about how your policies will affect people and how much they will cost.
“That is why we measure our policies against how they will affect women, in particular. Today we are setting out how we will tackle inequality and promote fairness in our society.”
Mr Kennedy was joined at the press conference by Sarah Teather, Baroness Falkner and Sandra Gidley.
Women and older people spokesperson Ms Gidley, said: “Once women enter adult life they suffer discrimination. It is often ignored by Government, but in some cases it is a direct result of Government policies.
“The current pension system discriminates against women because a woman’s contribution history can be incomplete due to caring responsibilities. On average women get £40 per week less than men on retirement.”
But the Conservatives said that women would view the Lib Dem proposals as “woolly thinking”.
Shadow Minister for Women, Eleanor Laing, said: “Like all people, women know that a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for woolly thinking. The only thing the Liberal Democrats can guarantee women is higher taxes and the abolition of mandatory sentences for murder or violent crime.”
She added: “The choice for British women is clear. They can either vote for a party that will take a stand and vote for the concerns and priorities of the forgotten majority – more police, cleaner hospitals, school discipline, lower taxes and flexible childcare – or they can vote for a party that is out of touch with the values of mainstream Britain.”
