Impressive Clegg launch of "Make it happen"

The normal LibDem web site has been "fronted" by a glossy promo (above) for "Make it happen". This, I presume, is another title for the "Vision and Values" policy document heralded in the Independent this morning.

I would call this a "pre-manifesto" and it is impressive. I particularly like the way it starts with the emphasis on the fact that ordinary people are struggling to make ends meet, with policies to help them:

If there’s money to spare, we won’t simply spend it. We’re looking for ways to cut Britain’s overall tax burden, so ordinary families have more of their money to help themselves. Our tax cuts will be fair. We’ll change the tax and benefits system to make sure it helps ordinary people - not the rich. We’ll increase the state pension in line with earnings and give women pensioners a fair deal. We’ll simplify benefits to make it easier for everyone to get out to work. We’ll be tough on tax avoidance. We’ll help ordinary families struggling to pay for gas and electricity by forcing energy companies to invest windfall profits to cut bills so everyone can afford to stay warm this winter. We’ll help families facing repossession by forcing banks to offer financial help and advice first. And we’ll replace the unfair council tax. We will be frank about how we pay for this - by closing the loopholes that favour the rich, diverting unnecessary Government spending, and by taxing pollution.

The document is brilliantly put together. In particular, it clearly makes the starting point for each area is the British people. For example, the passage on foreign policy:

People in Britain are caring and compassionate about people’s suffering around the world. We donate vast amounts of our money to charities and campaign groups that help people trapped in poverty, stand up for human rights, and speak out against dictators and oppressive regimes.

But the government doesn’t follow through on these basic British values.

They invaded Iraq even though a million people marched to stop it. They export arms to countries with shocking records of torture and abuse. And they even tolerate corruption in international business. Governments of both big parties have propped up dodgy regimes when it suited them, and undermined international law for short-term gain. It’s time to base our foreign policy on our values - our belief in fairness, the value of human life, and the importance of democracy and civil rights.