 Mike German says the council elections are about council tax |
The Welsh Liberal Democrats promised to replace the council tax with a local income tax as they launched their campaign for next month's local government elections. Other pledges include free personal care for the elderly and moves to limit all class sizes to 25.
Despite having no overall control of any authority in Wales, the party says it can make major gains.
The manifesto, called Strong Communities, Local Action, emphasises what it calls its track record of grassroots campaigning.
Mike German, who leads the party in the Welsh assembly, said it was committing itself to some major changes.
Top of the pledge list for the 10 June elections unveiled in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday is the replacement of council tax
The Lib Dems also promise changes in the voting system and a reduction in the minimum age both for voters and candidates.
Mr German said: "The council elections will be about council tax. The unfair tax was introduced by Michael Howard's Conservatives and has been made more and more unfair by Labour.
"Only the Liberal Democrats are in a position to change it to a local income tax. Local income tax is fairer, simpler to understand and collect, and more popular."
The Welsh Liberal Democrats say "community empowerment" is at the heart of their campaign.
They say they are being realistic about their chances but as the main opposition in only three councils and sharing power in another four, they know they have an uphill struggle ahead.
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Local income tax is fairer, simpler to understand and collect, and more popular 
