Lib-Dem's London plan leaves out Tube, Crossrail or Heathrow

Plane speaking: Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg debates with his predecessor Charles Kennedy on a campaign flight to Glasgow today
10 April 2012
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The Liberal Democrats came under fire from business chiefs today over a manifesto for the capital which failed to mention Tube investment, Crossrail or Heathrow expansion.

The party's deputy leader Vince Cable travelled to north London this morning to launch the document with MP Sarah Teather, who is fighting Labour's Dawn Butler for the new Brent Central seat. The three-page manifesto — Change That Works For London — lists promises including:

* One in 10 Londoners would be "freed" from paying income tax as the threshold is raised to £10,000.

* At least 600 more police on the capital's streets.

* An extra £520 million a year for London schools.

* Bringing 36,000 empty homes back into use.

* £730 million for environmentally friendly home improvements.

But one of its most startling features was the absence of a section on transport, including policies on the £16 billion Crossrail project (the Lib-Dems fully support it), third runway at Heathrow (they oppose it), and Tube upgrade.

It also did not cover plans for a "mansion tax" on £2 million homes. There were no details on proposals for the NHS in London, despite party leader Nick Clegg leading a high-profile campaign to protect services at Kingston Hospital.

Business leaders criticised the shortage of London pledges.

Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "We are disappointed that the Lib-Dems seem to have ignored what we regard as the major London issues.

"Businesses in London desperately need action to keep us ahead of our international rivals."

Baroness Valentine, chief executive of business group London First, expressed astonishment at a lack of detail about the capital's economy. The manifesto does aim to make London one of the "cleanest, greenest and most prosperous cities". In a foreword, Mr Clegg said he wanted to change "the poverty, the crime, the bad schools" in the capital.

The Lib-Dems want the economy to be less dependent on the financial sector, would break up big banks and impose a levy on their profits. Schools would be given money to cut class sizes and the pupil premium would hand London schools £520 million. A party spokesman said: "This is our national message in a London context."

Key issues for the capital

Tony Travers

Health
Whoever wins, NHS spending will grow far more slowly. Labour is setting up a network of polyclinics, bringing claims that individual GP surgeries and A&E units are under threat. It is not clear how the Tories would organise the capital's NHS, though last time they were in power hospital bed numbers fell sharply. They say they want to axe targets, give patients more choice over GPs and hospitals, and make access to cancer drugs easier. The Lib-Dems say they would put "local people" in charge of health service decisions.

Transport
The first decision will be whether to give the final go-ahead to Crossrail. Labour seems fully committed, the Tories have been less certain. The Conservatives and Lib-Dems oppose a third runway at Heathrow, Labour supports it. No one has much policy on roads, though the Lib-Dems are proposing to tax carbon emissions from transport. All must decide how much more cash to put into upgrading the Tube.

Environment
The Greens have pressed most for London to be more environmentally sustainable. The Tories propose grants to help householders with home insulation. Labour wants a "green" investment bank and, like the Tories, broadly accepts there is a need for more nuclear as well as renewable power. The Lib-Dems oppose new nuclear plants.

Economy
The big parties have been falling over themselves to sound tough about bankers, and all will have to decide on the structure and severity of financial services regulation. The Tories want the Bank of England to do it, while Labour and the Lib-Dems will stay with the Financial Services Authority. All agree on the need to diversify London's economy. Growth sectors could include culture and design, scientific research, healthcare and higher education.

Education
Labour has championed new academies and operated a London Challenge improvement regime, and has seen exam results lift significantly. The Tories have floated the possibility of parents setting up "free schools" along the lines of Sweden. They and the Lib-Dems would pay a "pupil premium" to fund better provision for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Lib-Dems want an enhanced role for borough councils, and oppose rises in student fees.

Crime
Statistics suggest crime has fallen in London, though the public remains unconvinced. Labour has overseen a growth in police numbers and says it will protect "frontline" funding. The Met is indirectly controlled by the Tories, in the form of Boris Johnson, and the party is committed to giving him more power over the police. The Lib-Dems propose a drugs policy aimed more at treatment and less at prosecution. The key issue is how to manage justice and policing with falling resources in the years ahead.

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