Nicol Stephen, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, today put a bright future for young people and a renewables revolution at the heart of his party’s election manifesto.

The key commitments in the Liberal Democrat manifesto include:

• Smaller class sizes with 1000 extra teachers and one hour of physical activity for every child every day.
• A 100% renewable energy revolution.
• 100 new local health centres with 200 extra NHS dentists and 2000 nurses

Nicol StephenLaunching his manifesto Nicol Stephen said:

“Today, I am setting out a bold and ambitious agenda for Scotland’s future.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats think politics is about getting things done. We’ve delivered in government –the abolition of tuition fees, free personal care for the elderly and free eye and dental checks. None of these policies have happened in the rest of the UK.

“Now is the time for Scotland to look to the future. We are determined to put young people and renewable energy at the heart of our campaign.

“Our manifesto is a vision for a bright future for Scotland.

“A Scotland which is positive about young people and offers excellent education and unrivalled opportunities. A Scotland with 100% clean, green energy – the renewables powerhouse of Europe.”
He then set out the Liberal Democrats plans for government until the end of 2007:

“By the end of this year Liberal Democrats will have laid the foundations for a bright future for Scotland.

“In June, we will set out new opportunities for young people, giving them access to an hour a day of physical activity with new sports coaches and facilities to make it happen.

“In July, we will establish new 7 year sentences for knife crime and a tough regime of community sentences.

“In August, we will publish our plans to get 1000 extra police officers to cut crime and make our streets safer.

“In September, we will set our 100% renewable electricity target and roll out new funding for micro-generation in homes and businesses across Scotland.

“In October, we will start our programme to build 100 new local health centres, and recruit 2000 extra nurses for faster diagnosis and treatment closer to where people live.

“In November, we will introduce a cut in business rates to below those in England, giving real competitive advantage to Scottish companies.

“In December, our plans to cut class sizes with 250 new schools and 1000 extra teachers will be implemented.
Nicol Stephen concluded:

“These are bold and ambitious plans for a Scotland that is pro-education, pro-environment and pro-economy.

“Our priority is to be positive about young people and the renewables revolution that will create thousands of new jobs.

“People are fed up with Labour but they don’t want independence. They want a party that gets things done for young people, for health, for the environment. And a party that’s going to focus on positive policies for a bright future for Scotland.”