"IT'S TIME FOR REAL CHANGE"

10.00.00am GMT Mon 11th Jan 2010

Steve Gilbert says only the Lib Dems offer the change Britain needs

Steve Gilbert, the Cornish campaigner and prospective local MP for St Austell & Newquay, has launched his election campaign with the promise to "always put local people before party politics."

The Liberal Democrat candidate has said "this election must be about real change, not a phoney changing of the guard by two parties that have consistently failed Cornwall and Britain."

Steve Gilbert has set out his priorities for St Austell & Newquay: fair taxes, protecting the Cornish countryside, and creating new jobs & affordable homes that put local need first.

Nationally, the Liberal Democrats will be putting fairness at the heart of the party's manifesto, which will include fair taxes; a fair start for every child; fair, clean and local politics and a fair, green economy with jobs that last.

Steve Gilbert said: "Labour has failed and we all know the Conservatives would be no different.

"The Conservatives cheered on from the sidelines as Labour took us to war and deregulated the banks. They won't bring the change we need. Only the Liberal Democrats can provide the real change for Britain.

"It's time for a fair deal. We will introduce fairer taxes by closing loopholes for the richest, abolishing the unfair Council Tax and changing income tax so that ordinary hardworking families will save £700 a year.

"We promise a fair start for children, by reducing class sizes, improving discipline and developing one-to-one tuition in our schools.

"We'd clean up Parliament, giving people the right to sack their MP and reducing the number of MPs by 150. I have pledged to never use tax-payers money to buy a house, pay for food or buy furniture.

"We will rebuild Cornwall's economy to promotes green technology and create lasting jobs in this new and exciting industry. We will put an end to casino banking, bring back competition and support local entrepreneurs.

"We need real change for Britain - real change that only the Liberal Democrats can provide."