"Labour can't be trusted to tackle poverty" - Kevin speaks out at Lib Dem conference

1.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Sep 2007

Edinburgh North & Leith Liberal Democrat, Kevin Lang addressed the LibDem conference in Brighton today, condemning Labour's record on tackling poverty.

Kevin was speaking during the taxation debate, where the party approved a policy motion to reduce income tax by 4p, increase 'green taxes' and reform inheritance tax and stamp duty.

Below is a copy of Kevin's speech

Conference, can I start by thanking the Taxation Working Group, to Vince, Lord Newby and the team for responding so effectively to this year's budget and for bringing forward amendments to the party's tax policy, approved in this hall just 12 months ago, ensuring we will not only have a truly liberal set of tax proposals for our manifesto but a tax policy which we can actually campaign on in the weeks and months ahead.

Conference, after the next General Election, whenever it is, I very much hope to represent my home constituency of Edinburgh North & Leith. It is a constituency which has undergone dramatic change over recent years and where even greater change is expected in the years ahead. It is a constituency which is changing politically, where in 10 years the Liberal Democrats vote have reduced the gap with Labour from 15,000 to 2,000 and where today we need a swing of just 2.5% to win.

For me, it is without doubt the most beautiful and most diverse of constituencies but regrettably, it is one where, after 10 years of a Labour Government, wealth inequality, the gap between rich and poor is as stark as you will see in any constituency anywhere in the United Kingdom. Where the three or even four storey mansions of some of the most affluent communities in Scotland sit within just hundreds of yards if some of the deprived, some of the most impoverished areas you will see in any constituency anywhere in the country.

It was that inequality, inequality I saw growing up in Edinburgh that first got me involved in politics. And it is issue, above all others, that keeps me involved in politics today.

And that is why for me, this debate is one of, if not the most important we will have this week. Because the tax system, the effective use of a simple, fair, progressive, tax system, remains one of the most important and most efficient tools for Government in reducing the wealth gap. But an unfair, regressive, complex tax system, the kind of tax system created over 10 years of a Labour Government, can be one of the greatest barriers in overcoming inequality. That is why this policy paper is so important. These policies, coupled with the package of measures we will discuss in the poverty debate later today will position the Liberal Democrats as the natural choice for those who have been forgotten, those who have been left behind.

Because they know and we know they can no longer trust Labour, and they certainly cannot trust Gordon Brown. A Labour leader, who after 10 years at the Treasury, allowed the poorest to pay a greater share of their income in tax than the richest, who has seen wealth inequality grow to levels greater than under Margaret Thatcher. A Labour leader, who has stood by and allowed the Super Rich to exploit loopholes in the tax system, whilst the poor get hammered by an unfair council tax. A Labour leader, who let us never forget, just this year in his last budget as Chancellor, actually increased taxes on the poor to fund tax cuts for the rich. Yes we have a Prime Minister who believes in redistribution, but redistribution in reverse, taking from the poor, giving to the rich.

This tax policy, if passed today, will position the Liberal Democrats as the one party ready to tackle this unfairness. Income tax cuts for the poor, an end to unfair tax loop holes for the wealthy, and end to the discredited council tax.

And I particularly welcome section 5.3 of the policy paper, with clear plans to reform residential stamp duty, a tax which was supposed to be a tax on the wealthy but which today, stands as a tax on the many and a tax, which certainly in my constituency, adds to the misery of first time buyers, already struggling to get their first foot on the property ladder.

Conference, I remember during the party's last leadership election, hearing Ming talk with great conviction and passion about the role for our party in seeking to tackle poverty and inequality, wherever it lies. It was clear that for Ming, this is not just a political cause, is a moral cause. I believe we need to hear more of this from our parliamentary party. I hope conference passes this motion today. It we do, we have a good set of policies, policies which will make me proud to be a member and a candidate of this party. Our job now then will to be tell people outside this hall all about it.