LONDON, April 14 (UPI) -- A Conservative government would ensure children of immigrants are taught good English in schools, Party Leader Michael Howard said Thursday.
Howard said it is important people who make their home in Britain learn English. He also promised to put traditional teaching methods, such as phonics, back at the heart of teaching in schools.
It is a "scandal" one in three children leave primary school unable to write properly, he said.
The Tories would also "root out political correctness" and restore discipline to schools, Howard said, giving head teachers the power to exclude pupils and investing in schools to help "troubled youngsters" gain skills for work.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats unveiled their platform, promising their tax reforms would leave 15 million households better off.
The plan would raise the top rate of income tax to 50 percent to fund free personal care for the elderly, the abolition of university fees and cuts in local taxes.
The Lib Dems want to scrap the council tax, payable according to property value, with a local income tax, which they say would save the average family $852 a year.
