Liberal Democrats launch manifesto with promise to 'stand up for Edinburgh'
Education, the environment, and a pledge to improve basic council services all sit at the heart of the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the upcoming Edinburgh Council elections.
At the 2017 election, the Liberal Democrats tripled their number of councillors in the Scottish Capital. There is growing confidence in the party of further gains this year, with the party fielding more candidates than the Conservatives, Labour, and Green parties.
The 2022 Lib Dem manifesto “Standing up for Edinburgh” includes five key priorities:
- A council that listens and gives power to the people
- A council that gets the basics right
- A council that gives children a world class education
- A council with the environment at its heart
- A council that delivers a fairer and more equal city
Key promises include reversing SNP and Labour coalition school cuts, improving public transport, investing millions more to fix crumbling road and pavements, and delivering 10,000 more affordable homes.
The party is also promising an end to the current ‘we know best’ attitude of the ruling SNP and Labour coalition, with powers devolved to local communities and genuine consultation on big decisions.
Liberal Democrats are further pledging to fight for significant improved funding from the Scottish Government after years of savage cuts.
Speaking at the launch of the manifesto, the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Edinburgh Council, Cllr Robert Aldridge said,
“A decade of SNP and Labour control of Edinburgh Council has failed our city. Under the arrogant ‘we know best’ attitude of SNP and Labour councillors, too many people feel the Council doesn’t listen or, worse still, doesn’t care.
“In too many areas, Edinburgh is not working as it should. Too many people don’t have a safe place to call home. Getting around the city is not as easy as it should be. The quality of your child’s education too often depends on where you live. Recycling rates are falling, our roads and pavements are crumbling, and our streets are dirtier and more littered than before.
“Liberal Democrats believe the people of this city deserve better. With more Liberal Democrats elected to Edinburgh Council, we can get the new approach and the fresh start our city desperately needs”.
Image: K. Lang. Clockwise from top left: Inverleith Councillor Hal Osler, Drum Brae/Gyle Councillor Robert Aldrdige, Forth candidate Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, Southside Newington candidate Pauline Flannery, Leith Walk candidate Jack Caldwell, City Centre candidate Andy Foxall.