Lib Dem leader calls for fair tax cuts for middle earners

8.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 29th Jul 2008

Mr Clegg is pictured here with Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne and (from left) Cllr Louise Bloom, executive member for the environment, Cllr Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Cllr Pam Holden-Brown, Mr Terry Holden-Brown.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg spoke at the annual dinner of the Eastleigh Liberal Democrats and highlighted the difference between fair Liberal Democrat tax cuts and unfair Conservative ones.

Mr Clegg spoke to a packed dinner at the East Horton Golf Club and said that the Lib Dems were poised for further progress at the next general election on top of the "golden triangle" of Lib Dem seats in Eastleigh, Romsey and Winchester.

Praising Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne, Mr Clegg said that Mr Huhne was one of the outstanding politicians of his generation and the parliamentary party and the local party were lucky to have him.

Mr Clegg pointed out that the Conservatives could not claim to be a party committed to fairness, since the only tax cuts they had announced were concentrated on the richest 6 per cent of the population. By contrast, the Liberal Democrats aim to cut tax most for those on low and middle incomes.

"It is crazy that low and middle income earners pay more of their income in tax than those on high incomes. We need tax cuts for hard-working families, not those who are already doing well and able to withstand hard times" said Mr Clegg.

The exotic raffle included a tin of parliamentary humbugs and an hour's drive in a stretch limo around the Southampton and Eastleigh area.

"It was a great evening when everyone enjoyed themselves in a great celebratory atmosphere following our recent electoral successes. I was delighted that Nick came to speak at our dinner, and he took local members by storm" said Mr Huhne.