It is not enough to criticise

10.00.00am GMT Mon 22nd Feb 2010

What will Liberal Democrats do to invigorate our economy? Nick Clegg & Vince Cable have sound plans. We have to shift the economy away from the dominance that the City of London driven financial services sector has enjoyed for nearly 30yrs into a better balance. Despite the damage it has suffered at the hands of Conservative & Labour alike the manufacturing sector is still a huge contributor to the UK economy. The closure of the CORUS steel works on Teeside sharply illustrates the problem. It is easy to shut a manufacturing business down. Much more difficult to start one up. It is comparatively easy to open an office & provide a 'service'. But the opportunities are there. Liberal Democrat plans will usher in a new era where growth is enabled in every part of Britain in a way that promotes green technology and creates lasting jobs. We will put an end to the casino banking that caused the financial crisis by breaking up the banks and encouraging regional and local ways to bring competition back to the financial sector and make sure businesses can find the money they need to grow. Under our plans, councils will regain control of business rates, reconnecting local enterprise with local politics. Local Enterprise Funds will help people invest in growing businesses in their area and Regional Stock Exchanges will give companies a way to move into public equity without the huge risks and costs of a London listing. The Liberal Democrats will also create a new National Infrastructure Bank to bring in private money to build the transport links, energy grid and public buildings we need for a sustainable, low carbon economy in every part of Britain.