Simon Hughes has warned against the introduction of a Snooper’s Charter, stating it as a step too far in tackling terrorism.

His comments came after the Conservatives announced plans to introduce a Snooper’s Charter if they are elected to govern in May’s General Election.

The proposed charter would see internet companies be required to keep a record of all websites visited by every single member of the public.

Liberal Democrats are calling for future security measures to be targeted, proportionate and to not infringe or trample on civil liberties.

Simon said:

“It is vital that the police and intelligence agencies are able to investigate and prosecute terrorists, including surveillance of communications. The Liberal Democrats have moved quickly in Government to plug the gaps in existing legislation to bolster these abilities.

“Future security measures must be proportionate, justified and necessary – and not trample on our civil liberties. The so-called Snoopers’ Charter, which would see the internet browsing of every single citizen stored for a year, fails these very reasonable precautions.

“The idea that you protect free speech by spying on every law-abiding person in this country is a contradiction in terms. You can’t have an open society if you are constantly worried that the state is prying into your daily life.”

A Snooper’s Charter would undermine the freedom of expression that all British citizens enjoy.

Passing a Snooper’s Charter would dramatically shift the relationship between the state and the individual. It would give governments the indiscriminate power to record every individual’s web history, e-mails and social media communications, irrespective of whether they are guilty or not.

Freedom of speech is a founding principle of our democracy and one which Liberal Democrats will act to protect.

Danny Alexander has called for cuts to be made to Bus fares following the news of falling gas prices. The Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury has also called on coach and package holiday operators to reduce their prices and reflect the recent drop in the cost of fuel.

In a series of interventions Danny has:

• Written to five major bus operators calling on them to pass on the dramatic falls in the diesel price to customers through lower fares. In his letter he points out that bus operators receive taxpayer support via a fuel subsidy and that fare paying passengers and tax payers will want reassurance that falls in diesel costs are being passed on.

• Written to London Mayor Boris Johnson urging him to ensure savings are passed on to bus users in London as swiftly as possible.

• Written to coach companies seeking re-assurance that long distance and commuting coach fares are reflecting the falling oil price fall as swiftly as possible.

• Written to package holiday firms pressing them to pass on savings accrued through lower air, coach and other holiday costs.

When commenting on his call for bus fare cuts, Danny said:

“With fuel prices dropping across the country it’s right that the full benefits are passed on.  Falling oil prices are like a giant tax cut to the economy.  But the positive effect will only be felt if the oil price falls are passed on.  While drivers are already seeing the cost of filling up the car come down, the millions of Britons who use the bus are still paying what they did a few months ago.

“On top of that many people will be planning their summer holidays now and looking for an early bargain. I want package tour operators to reflect the lower costs of fuel in their prices now.”

“Consumers have suffered the pain of high oil prices, it’s only right that companies and organisations do all they can to pass on as quickly as possible every last penny of oil price falls.”

“At the same time, these are worrying times for our valued North Sea Oil & Gas sector and they can be assured that I am committed to providing support where possible.”