Lib Dems and Eurofighter

Allan Knox and the Lib Dems have set out clearly and honestly on how they stand on future defence procurement. They have come to the conclusion that procurement of Tranche 3B of Eurofighter would not be in the best interests of future defence policy.

Neither Tory nor Labour manifestos say what they will do about Tranche 3B. Allan said:"I think they are both being disingenuous with the electorate. Both parties say they will have a defence review in the next parliament which in all probability will conclude that they will not sign up for Tranche 3B.

"Lib Dems are clear about where they want to see future defence projects and will support the continued procurement from BAE for Tranche 3A as well as the Joint Strike fighter and Drones projects.

"Finally, I find it a sad reflection on politics that one of my opponents resorts to scare tactics in one of his leaflets where he says that we will scrap Tranche 3 with the implication that we mean 3A as well as 3B when in our manifesto we clearly set out we would not sign up for 3B

"Scrapping 3A not only would be stupid due to the loss of jobs but would also incur significant penalty costs on the country which would make its scrapping pointless.

"I feel the accusation speaks more abut the desperation of their campaign than any serious discussion of defence issues."

4 steps to a fairer Britain

Allan Knox and the Liberal Democrats have launched their four steps to a fairer Britain. These are:

Fair taxes that put money back in your pocket

* The first £10,000 you earn tax-free: a tax cut of £700 for most people
* 3.6 million low earners and pensioners freed from income tax completely
* Paid for in full by closing loopholes that unfairly benefit the wealthy and polluters

A fair future creating jobs by making Britain greener

* Break up the banks and get them lending again to protect real businesses
* Honesty about the tough choices needed to cut the deficit
* Green growth and jobs that last by investing in infrastructure
A fair chance for every child

* Ensure children get the individual attention they need by cutting class sizes
* Made possible by investing £2.5 billion in schools targeted to help struggling pupils
* Give schools the freedom to make the right choices for their pupils

A fair deal by cleaning up politics

* Put trust back into politics by giving you the right to sack corrupt MPs
* Restore and protect hard-won British civil liberties with a Freedom Bill
* Overhaul Westminster completely: fair votes, an elected House of Lords, all politicians to pay full British taxes

Allan Knox said:"You've been let down by Labour for the last 13 years. You've had 65 years of Labour and Conservative Governments taking it in turns to make the same old mistakes over and over again. The choice in this election is between more of the same with Labour and the Conservatives or real change with the Liberal Democrats. We will clean up politics. We will deliver fairness. We will change Britain."

Allan Knox backs Community Pubs, Local Brewers and Consumer Rights!

Allan Knox, Ribble Valley Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for the Ribble Valley constituency has today committed to:

• Promote the interests of Britain’s pub goers
• Champion well-run community pubs
• Support the rebalancing alcohol taxation to support beer and pubs
• Press for reform of beer tie to deliver a fair deal for consumers
• Support the role of well-run pubs as solutions to alcohol misuse

These commitments are based on a campaign being run by CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale which is asking all Prospective Parliamentary Candidates whether they are willing to speak up for Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers. CAMRA’s new Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter sets out a series of options for supporting well-run community pubs, local brewers and consumer rights.

Mike Benner, CAMRA’s Chief Executive welcomed Allan Knox’s support for the Charter, saying:

"We are delighted that Allan Knox has promised to work to promote the interests of beer drinkers and pub goers. Well-run pubs make a huge contribution to community life, each of which injects £80,000 into their local economy every year. Amid growing concern over the loss of more than 5 pubs a day, it is now more important than ever to support well-run community pubs, to promote local brewers and to protect the interests of consumers."

Speaking after signing up to CAMRA’s Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter, Allan Knox said: "I am proud to be speaking up for community pubs, local brewers and consumers. Well-run pubs are the bedrock of community life - they are part of the solution to the problem of alcohol misuse and not part of the problem. They deserve our support."