Income tax cuts, fuel duty discount and sustainable jobs are the key Lib Dem pledges in the Highlands & Western Isles

2.21.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Apr 2010

Commenting after the publication of the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the Highlands launched in Inverness today by Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott and Highland MP and Lib Dem manifesto co-ordinator Danny Alexander local Western Isles Liberal Democrat candidate Jean Davis said; “These key pledges will resonate with voters in the Western Isles and will also form the basis for my campaign here.”

“The key pledges are;

Make the first £10,000 you earn tax free - saving the vast majority of residents here £700 per year. Under Labour the tax system is complex, unwieldy and most of all unfair. This has to change. Liberal Democrats will rebalance our tax system to make it fair once and for all.

Introduce a rural fuel duty discount, to help ease the burden of high fuel prices in remote areas. We are the only party with a plan to tackle the issues facing people in the Highlands and Islands. The record price of fuel is hitting families very hard - especially because of the long distances, higher prices, and lack of public transport. Our fuel duty discount scheme would reduce fuel duty for people in remote and rural areas - helping people to make ends meet.

Support sustainable jobs with investment in green energy and IT infrastructure. We will support sustainable jobs to help the economy grow. Investment in renewables and broadband is vital to create new employment here. We have enormous potential to be at the heart of the renewable energy sector. As part of our commitment to renewable energy we will transform the electricity grid with better sub-sea connections to promote the use of offshore wind, wave and tidal energy.

Improve access to banking and secure the future of Post Offices through a PostBank

We know the importance of protecting our rural Post Offices. They are essential to the future of our communities. Not only are we pledging to protect Post Offices, but to give them a better future by implementing the PostBank idea which would also improve access to banking too.

We need change and fairness. The Highlands and Islands need a strong local voice at Westminster. Only the Liberal Democrats can deliver both. Labour and the SNP have failed here. By electing me to join the strong H&I Liberal Democrat team at Westminster you will be putting yourself at the forefront of a national movement for real change."