After a busy 2 days of campaigning, Rea-wakey heads to Lewisham to conclude his local campaign with details of his plans for the economy. After a busy afternoon of canvassing the streets and handing out campaign materials, Rea-wakey and his entourage have headed into the local pub. The Watch House, a pub owned by Wetherspoons, is the site chosen – and Rea-wakey looks keen to get 3 sides for £10.95, a pint of Ruddles for £2 and 2 pitchers for £12.50.

Standing at the bar along with the masses of Lewisham, Rea-wakey is questioned on everything – from the Liberal Democrat plans for Government, to environmental policy, to health and education. However, one key theme continues to stand out from the masses fielding questions – how will the Liberal Democrats improve the economy and make the lives of the everyman better?

“Thank you joining me here in this mighty local pub. While some might look down on places like this, there is nothing wrong with affordable food, affordable alcohol, and a place to allow you hard working gentlemen to wind down.

The Liberal Democrats have made some great advances over the course of this term – especially in increasing the Personal Allowance to £25,000 jointly with the Rose Coalition. We continue to demonstrate responsibility in economic matters - always committing to the objective that regardless of which Chancellor is in Westminster, there shall be no increase in the structural deficit and long term borrowing to fund routine expenditure.

We believe taxation policy should be targeted and not punitive, and because of this the Liberal Democrats will commit to maintain the personal allowance at £25,000, ensuring that those on lower incomes do not carry the burden of income tax and national insurance. We also support maintaining the higher rate of income tax at 45%, ensuring that those who are able to pay are taxed accordingly. However, those on middle and lower incomes should continue to enjoy lower income taxes than they have in previous times, and we will continue to ensure that those on middle-level incomes do not experience any significant hike in taxes.

The Liberal Democrats note that corporation taxes have risen to ensure that no increase in the structural deficit occurs, as agreed in our negotiations with the 29th Government on the Budget. We believe that this was the responsible thing to do given the circumstances, ensuring that the last Government was not able to go unchecked in its expenditure increases without corresponding revenue increases. However, in order to support corporations, we will increase the annual Asset Investment Allowance (AIA) to £1,000,000, in order to lower the taxes paid by companies which continue to invest their profits directly in our United Kingdom. We will continue to support maintaining a lower rate of corporation tax for companies with small profits.

Moving on to the hot topic of our time – LVT. The Liberal Democrats believe that LVT is a fairer system of taxation than former Council Taxes and Non-dometic Business Rates. The Liberal Democrats also believe that LVT naturally encourages the downsizing of large properties, encouraging individuals to live in properties suitable for their environment, communities, and their requirements as a family. This will increase the availability of property within the United Kingdom.

However, we also recognise that LVT can be punitive to those individuals which are asset rich and cash poor - and therefore we will implement a policy to allow deferral of payment of LVT until death or sale of the asset.

And probably our most important economic policy – the Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign for an equal minimum wage for 18 to 25 year olds, removing legal discrimination in salary aspect by age. Furthermore, we continue maintain our commitment to the liberalisation of Sunday trading laws, as well as trading hours for retailers, pubs, restaurants and clubs, as we believe that proprietors should be able to work at times which are suitable for them, their employees and their businesses.

So it’s clear to see – a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to protect working people like us here in South East London. If elected as an MP, I will work as hard as I have done this past term to ensure that the Government works for the betterment of you as individuals – not at your expense.”

Rea-wakey then proceeded to chug his pint to cheers from the others in the pub. It is expected he will not be leaving until the small hours of the morning.

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Rea-wakey looking smug going into the pub