Today, Vince Cable launches the Liberal Democrats’ local election campaign.

He talks about the party’s prospects and the real difference Lib Dem councillors can make to people’s lives in schools and hospitals. He also compares and contrasts with both Labour and Conservative councils. Did you know that Labour Manchester had granted planning permission to not one single affordable house in the last two years? What was that thing about the many and the few again?

Here are the highlights of what he will say:

On the party

“There is a secret phenomenon in British politics.

“It is occurring in by-elections all over the country, week in, week out, to local authorities from Sunderland to Somerset. “Against the Tories. Against Labour. In Leave areas. In Remain areas. “Since the general election in 2017, the Liberal Democrats are up 15 seats, double Labour’s increase of 7, while the Conservatives are tanking – they have lost 18 seats. “These real votes in real ballot boxes show Liberal Democrat support at double our national opinion poll rating. “What we’re showing is that where Liberal Democrats come out fighting, Liberal Democrats can win. “Because local residents trust Liberal Democrats to listen, work hard and get things done on their behalf. “And in our areas of particular strength, where we control Councils and win mayoralties, we run reliable, responsive local services and deliver value for people’s Council Tax.”

On cuts to schools

“In my own home, in the Borough of Richmond, the biggest issue on doorsteps is cuts to schools funding. “Around the country this is having a real impact damaging children’s futures. “At the General Election the Liberal Democrats argued for extra investment of £7bn in school and college budgets to ensure that no school would lose funding, and so we could give more support to children from disadvantaged backgrounds through the pupil premium. “It’s one of the many stark differences between the Coalition Government and the hard-right Conservative Governments which have followed. “Where Liberal Democrats protected schools funding in real terms, our research now shows it falling in more than half of English local authorities. “Teachers and teaching assistants are being laid off. “And parents are being asked to make a financial contribution to their schools to keep them going. “This has to stop. Decent, free school education is key to ensuring each generation can do better than the last. It is a bedrock of civilised society. “These elections are a chance for parents and teachers to send a signal to the Government on schools. “A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to give schools the funding they need.”

On housing