The Economist has endorsed the Liberal Democrats one week out from polling day. It says they "consider a vote for the Lib Dems as a down-payment for the future."
The influential magazine argues that "the leaders of both main parties have turned away from a decades-old vision of an open, liberal country" leaving only Tim Farron and the Liberal Democrats representing the large majority of British voters who want to live in an open, tolerant and united Britain.
85% of homes in Chesterfield could be eligible for sale to meet Theresa May's so-called 'dementia tax', research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.
Tom Snowdon has urged residents, irrespective of their party affiliation, to join a campaign to stop the Conservative social care plans which would saddle those with long-term illnesses with crippling care costs after their death.
Here is a summary of the popular, fully costed Liberal Democrat manifesto:
For the full Liberal Democrat manifesto click here
If you would like to support Tom Snowdon's Chesterfield Liberal Democrats campaign you can follow us on twitter @ChesterfieldLD, like at facebook.com/ChesterfieldLD or e-mail Tom.snowdon@chesterfieldlibdems.org.uk
The Liberal Democrats have launched their manifesto for a brighter future.
Change Britain's Future is a plan for a fairer Britain where people are decent to each other, with good schools and hospitals, a clean environment and an innovative economy.
Nothing is more important to our children's future than Brexit. A bad Brexit deal, with Britain outside the single market, will wreck the future for our children, our economy and our schools and hospitals. That's why at the heart of the manifesto is a commitment to give the people the final say on the Brexit deal in a referendum.
Tom Snowdon has said that 20,310 pensioners living in Chesterfield will receive at least an extra £772 per year under Liberal Democrat manifesto plans to protect the 'triple lock' for state pensions.
Thanks to the triple lock guarantee, secured by the Liberal Democrats when they were in government, the basic state pension has risen in each year by whichever is the higher of earnings, prices or a rate of 2.5%. However, the Conservatives have refused to guarantee whether the triple lock will continue, raising fears it could be scrapped.
The Liberal Democrats have committed this week to keeping the triple lock, meaning the state pension would be worth at least £137.15 a week by 2021, up from £122.30 in 2017, or an extra £772 a year.
This would be paid for in part by restricting perks such as the winter fuel allowance so they are no longer paid to the wealthiest pensioners.
Liberal Democrat spokesperson Tom Snowdon said:
"Protecting the triple lock will mean an extra £772 a year by 2021 for over 20,000 people receiving the state pension in this constituency.
"The Liberal Democrats are making a clear commitment to older people in Chesterfield, unlike the Conservatives who have repeatedly refused to give this guarantee.
"The triple lock has succeeded in lifting thousands of pensioners out of poverty, but many are still struggling to get by.
"An important test of a civilised society is the way in which it cares for the elderly. This commitment will ensure older people are able to meet their basic needs and that their living standards will be protected, especially with prices set to rise in the coming years."
A member of the Liberal Democrats since 2001, Tom joined the party to campaign for Paul Holmes to be elected as MP for Chesterfield. For Tom the main issues in this General Election are increasing NHS funding, ensuring that pensions are protected, and making sure the UK gets the best possible deal when leaving the EU so that we don't damage the economy resulting in a major loss of jobs.
Tom Snowdon announced that the Liberal Democrats would plug funding gaps for the NHS and social care by putting a penny on income tax, in their first major manifesto commitment of the election campaign.
The tax would raise an additional £105.2 million for Derbyshire, with £76 million for the NHS and £29.2 million for social care each year.
Chesterfield Liberal Democrats support the council stance as we think it is the best interests of the residents of Chesterfield; in fact we saw the benefit of being part of the structure eight years ago.
As a result of the extensive discussions the Liberal Democrat Group supported the council's application for full membership of the Sheffield City region.The alternative - to become full members of the North Midlands region (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) - has been evaluated but currently looks less favourable; however their offer is still being developed. We are assured that, should their subsequent offer prove more favourable, it is possible to change our stance at a later date.
