LOCAL ELECTION MANIFESTO

"POWER TO THE PEOPLE"

01 Central Government should abandon its policy of centralisation and return local government to local people. 70% of the electorate do not bother to vote at local elections because they feel that local government is powerless to bring about the changes that they want to see.

02 The unfair Council Tax should be abolished and replaced with a system which takes account of people's ability to pay such as a Local Income Tax (as recommended by the Layfield Commission in 1976).

03 One-Stop Local Government (Unitary Authorites) should be introduced throughout the UK to replace the current widely differing systems which increase complexity and decrease popular understanding.

04 Annual Local Government elections should be introduced throughout the UK where one third of the councillors retire each year. This ensures that all voters are reminded of their democratic responsibilities every year and gives them an opportunity to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their elected representatives.

05 To prevent electoral fraud each resident over 17 should be required to submit a separate registration form which would include his or her date of birth and signature.

06 Procedures should be introduced, with appropriate security measures, to allow residents to vote personally, by post, by telephone or via the internet.

07 To increase the current very limited choice the Additional Member system as used in Scotland and Wales should be introduced to allow voters the possibility of voting both for a local candidate and for a party, with the party votes being used to ensure that the elected council is genuinely representative of the voters wishes.

08 Mayors, Chief Constables and Chief Executives of NHS Trusts should be directly elected every four years. Candidates should put forward their own manifestos and budgets.

09 The income from Business Rates should be restored to Local Councils who should be allowed to set the rates up to, but not higher than, the domestic rates.

10 Central Government must provide adequate ring-fenced funding for Seniors, the Disabled and Young People aged 14-18 in accordance with the numbers resident in the appropriate Local Council area.  They must only be allowed to impose additional responsibilities on Local Government if they are fully funded and approved as such by the National Audit Office.



Grahame Leon-Smith, Party Leader : : : :  April 2007