Britain's opposition presses for phased withdrawal from Iraq

Britain's opposition the Liberal Democratic Party launched its election manifesto Thursday, pressing for a phased withdrawal of British troops in Iraq at the end of this year.

The party, which has been strongly against Britain's military involvement in Iraq, pursues the issue in the election campaign to win over voters disgruntled with Prime Minister Tony Blair's handling of the issue.

On the economic front, Charles Kennedy, head of the Liberal Democrats, promises to replace council tax with a new local income tax which is expected to make 15 million households better off.

Kennedy claims his party is the "real alternative" to Labor's authoritarianism and Conservatives' narrow-mindedness. He describes the document as a "fully-costed and affordable program to create a fair Britain," offering dignity for older people, real opportunity for our children and a fair deal for families." |

The Liberal Democratic Party is the last of the main parties in Britain to declare their manifesto which in their words, is based on "fairness" and "opportunity."

A latest poll carried by Thursday's major newspapers puts Blair 's Labor Party at 39 percent, leading Tories by 6 percent, while the Liberal Democratic remains at 21 percent.