Farron targets young voters with vow for a ‘better future’
THE LIBERAL Democrats will unveil plans for a new model of “rent-to-own” homes and discount bus fares for 16 to 21-yearolds as the party launches its official 2017 manifesto today.
The policies are the latest in a series of measures designed to reach out to younger voters and will see the party commit to delivering a “brighter future” for Britain.
Further announcements include plans to restore housing benefits for under-21s and a tripling of the pupil premium for early years education.
Speaking ahead of today’s launch, leader Tim Farron said he wants to offer voters “a choice over your future”.
He said: “You should have your say on the Brexit deal in a referendum. And if you don’t like the deal you should be able to reject it and choose to remain in Europe.
“You don’t have to accept Theresa May and Nigel Farage’s extreme version of Brexit that will wreck the future for you, your family, your schools and hospitals.
“We want to give all our children a brighter future in a fairer Britain where people are decent to each other, with good schools and hospitals, a clean environment and an innovative economy.
“A vote for the Liberal Democrats can change Britain’s future.”
The launch follows a commitment to invest £2bn in flood prevention work, with a focus on providing support for small community and council-led schemes.
The party says it wants to tackle issues of upstream flooding, while also improving flood defences down river.
The new “rent-to-own” policy will offer workers on low incomes the chance to get on the housing ladder by making monthly payments at around the same levels as rent.
Each payment buys a share in the property, which the tenant will own outright after 30 years.
The discount bus pass will see young people, aged between 16 and 21, receive a 66 per cent reduction in fares. This is designed to help young people “access education, apprenticeships and work”.
And the increase in the pupil premium will see the allocation per child increased from £302 in 2015-16 to £1,000. Mr Farron told The Yorkshire
Post he wants to make sure children in the region are given “the best possible chance in life”.
We want to give all our children a brighter future. Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats.