Liberal Democrats campaigning in Malvern

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 17th May 2004

West Midlands Liberal Democrat European Candidate Liz Lynne MEP and PPC for West Worcestershire Tom Wells, have been campaigning in Malvern in the last week.

On Saturday 15th May they visited a farm in Welland near Malvern, to talk to the pig farmer who is diversifying in to other areas.

They also visited the proposed site for a youth group in Welland. The young people are hoping to use an unused part of the local Church to have regular meetings and take part in activities and projects in the local area.

On Friday they spent the morning talking to local residents and asking them to sign the local party's axe the tax petitions in Safeway car park in Malvern and Liz also talked to residents about the forthcoming European Elections.

Liberal Democrat PPC for West Worcestershire Tom Wells added:

"We had a tremendous response to our campaign to scrap the council tax from the people in Malvern. The Council tax is now Britain's most unfair tax and it's time it was replaced with a fair tax related to people's ability to pay.

"Only the Liberal Democrats are campaigning to scrap council tax, and only the Liberal Democrats have a positive alternative. 70% of all tax payers will see lower or no change to their local tax bills under our proposal for a local income tax. Switching the burden of payment from pensioners on to those who can afford to pay."

On the farm visit Liz Lynne said:

"Farmers have had a tough time over the last few years. It is encouraging to see a farmer diversifying into other areas and bringing some much needed life in to the rural economy around Welland.

"I also talked to him about legislation that comes from the EU which may affect him. As an MEP I have made sure that industry would not be harmed by EU Directives. In particular I made sure that the vibrations directive took more account of the needs of the agriculture sector by extending the amount of hours a tractor could be driven from 2-4 to 7-8 hours a day.

Speaking about the visit to the youth group Liz said:

"These groups are very important to young people in rural areas. They often feel are there is no where to meet and that their needs are never considered.

ENDS