Welcoming the party pre manifesto launch Brian Dash, Liberal Democrat spokesman for New Forest East constituency said,

"I was briefed on the document recently and I am delighted to see that it addresses the concerns of local people."

He went on,

"This is not our final manifesto but it is an important document setting out the direction of Liberal Democrat thinking leading up to the General Election. 

I believe that these policies would improve the lives of everyone in Britain today.

The values underpinning our agenda for Britain are freedom, fairness and trust.

As this Labour Government becomes more unpopular, increasingly the challengers are not the Conservatives. 

We, the Liberal Democrats are the challengers."

The 'Top Ten' Liberal Democrat manifesto pledges are:

• Put patients first - Free doctors and nurses from Whitehall meddling

• Free personal care when you need it - No one forced to sell their home to pay for care

• No tuition fees, no top-up fees - University affordable for every student

• More investment in children's early years - Spend the £1 billion Child Trust Fund when it matters most

• 10,000 more police on the streets - Cutting crime and the fear of crime

• £25 more on the pension every week at 75 - A million pensioners off means testing

• Free off-peak local transport - for all pensioners and disabled people

• Axe the Council Tax - Local Income Tax is both fair and affordable

• We should not have gone to war in Iraq - It's time to restore trust in the Government

• Take the environment seriously - Cut pollution, cut congestion, boost renewable energy