'DECRIMINALISE CANNABIS' - LIB DEMS

The Liberal Democrats have voted in favour of the decriminalisation of
cannabis.

Delegates at the party's spring conference in Manchester also voted for an
end to imprisonment for the possession of drugs.

Some party members want to go further still, by legalising cannabis altogether.

Leader Charles Kennedy said that having the confidence and maturity to
discuss the issue honestly and openly did the party "no harm".

Home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes said prior to Saturday's vote: "There
is a growing realisation that drugs policy must be reassessed.

"Current law neither adequately deters people from using drugs nor
maximises the chances of effective treatment."

Public services

The party is also discussing defence and economic policies, public
services, and ways of attracting disaffected Conservative voters.

Other controversial proposals on the agenda include ending selection at
faith schools, cutting Britain's nuclear arsenal by 33%, and withholding
support for the "son of Star Wars" nuclear defence system being developed
by the US.

Defence spokesman Paul Keetch was expected to tell the conference: "The UK
should not accept the use of UK facilities for any missile defence system
which does not enhance our security."

Other debates Cutting nuclear arsenal Opposing 'Son of Star Wars' Raising
taxes Having a dedicated NHS tax Abolishing faith schools

A commitment to raise taxes to fund better public services could also be on
the agenda, with a keynote speech from Treasury spokesman Matthew Taylor on
the economy.

He is also expected to advocate the greater involvement of the private
sector in public services.

"The private sector has a place in delivering public services," he is
expected to say.

"It can promote innovation and choice. We would not be true to our heritage
as Liberals if we didn't believe that."

Party members have already been arguing over dedicated taxes.

It has been suggested that the policy of adding 1p in the pound to income
tax to fund education - a mainstay of the Lib Dem manifesto for three
elections - should be dropped. Others think it should stay.

Health tax

The party also appears to be edging towards a dedicated tax for health, the
so-called "hypothecated" NHS tax.

Mr Kennedy floated the idea last month, saying people would be able to see
how their money was being spent and would then be able to judge how
effectively it was being used.

Mr Taylor is expected to echo that, saying: "We can only argue for extra
funding if we show that people will get value for money and they will have
greater control over how that money is spent."

A group aimed at wooing disaffected Tories was meeting for the first time
at the conference on Friday night.

Conservatives hold the bulk of what will be Lib Dem target seats at the
next election.

But BBC political correspondent Jonathan Beale says the party's support for
higher taxes and its stance on drugs are unlikely to appeal to traditional
Tory voters.