Hundreds of reasons to vote Liberal Democrat

6.11.00pm GMT Thu 4th Mar 2010

Jo Swinson MP has joined Colin Firth, Brian Eno and Ken MacDonald QC in contributing to a book entitled 'Why Vote Liberal Democrat?'.

The book, which goes on sale today, covers topics as varied as fair taxes, gay rights, looking after our armed forces, political reform and the fight against climate change. Jo Swinson penned a chapter entitled Real Women, Real Chances. Other contributors include Gurkha veteran Madan Kumar Gurung, political reform campaigner Pam Giddy and Duwayne Brooks, best friend of Stephen Lawrence.

Commenting, Jo Swinson said:

"I am thrilled that so many well known people, from such diverse backgrounds have been inspired by Liberal Democrat values and policies. This book sets out a clear vision for how liberal values can translate into a fairer, happier, more prosperous society. In short, the book shows that there are hundreds of reasons to vote Liberal Democrat."

"Why vote Liberal Democrat?" is published as part of a series by Biteback Publishing

Contents:

Foreword - Danny Alexander MP

What is Liberalism? - Nick Clegg MP 1

Building a Fair, Green Economy

Fair taxes for all - Mike Williams 5

The road to a sustainable recovery - Lord Sharman 10

Driving renewal in Britain's core cities - Cllr John Shipley 17

The Help You Need

Help for children: right from the start - Floella Benjamin 24

Putting our health and our NHS in our hands - Peter Whelan 29

Transforming the lives of young people - Elaine Bagshawe 35

Cutting crime - Brian Paddick 40

Dignity and security in old age - Baroness Barker 46

Equal Voices, Equal Rights

It's the system, stupid - Pam Giddy 52

Freedom's place in the fight against terrorism - Sir Ken Macdonald 57

Lifting the barriers for people with disabilities - Robert Adamson 62

Coming out for gay rights - Ed Fordham 64

Race equality and opportunity for all - Cllr Duwayne Brooks 65

No matter where you were born - Colin Firth 67

Real women, real chances - Jo Swinson MP

For Every Community of Britain

Protection and prosperity for rural Britain - Kate Parminter 75

A fair deal for Wales - Michael Woods 82

Building a fairer Scotland - John Loughton 86

Stability and peace in Northern Ireland - Alistair Carmichael MP 89

Making a Difference in the World

Protecting the planet for our children's future - Cllr Alexis Rowell 91

Fitting our armed forces for the 21st century - Col. Terry Scriven 96

Leadership in the global age - Prof. Noreena Hertz 100

What the Liberal Democrats Mean to Me

The courage to lead - Brian Eno 109

Standing against unfair extradition - Janis Sharpe 113

Listening to the forgotten people - Cllr Karen Hamilton 115

Fighting for veterans' rights - Madan Kumar Gurung 116