THE last 12 years of Isle of Wight Council ruling administrations have been a disaster, according to the Liberal Democrats, who have launched their manifesto ahead of May’s council elections.
In keeping with their proposal to sign up all new school children with a local library, the campaign was launched outside of Lord Louis Library, Newport, on Monday.
Nicholas Belfitt, chair of the Island Lib Dems, said they would offer a "common sense" council.

He said: "We have been working hard to offer something good and stable to turn the Island around.
"People are tired of the current administration, tired of the silly spending costs, tired of the personal conflicts, and tired of big promises with little gains.
"It’s time we had a common-sense approach with policies that will work for the Island.
"Any party who gets in must face the facts of the budget, but the Liberal Democrats offer people a progressive approach that will put the Island’s real needs first.
"All over the UK people are looking for that sensible alternative to represent them, people are looking for the Liberal Democrats."
Former chair Robert Packham who is standing for election in May added: "I have been a Liberal Democrat for 28 years and most of the problems with the Isle of Wight Council started in 2005 when the Liberal Democrats lost control of the council.
"Since then, eight years of Conservative control and nearly four years of Independent groups have been a disaster." 
The Liberal Democrats have set out six key policies they want to see accomplished over the next council if elected:
• Invest more resources in planning enforcement to deal with planning breaches on the Island.
• Start building houses for rent to create a council housing stock financed by borrowing whilst interest rates are historically low. These houses should also aim to be efficient energy saving and green as much as possible while remaining affordable.
• New Youth Housing Deal to address the problems of affordable housing, looking how trusts could be set up to create a loan system to allow 18 to 25 to afford admin fees and deposits for their first property.
• We are against fracking on the Island or anywhere near the Island as this could cause land slips and water pollution. We support solar farms, wind tide and renewable energy utilising our natural energy landscape. Making sure any business rewards from energy reward islanders first.
• Work to attract inward investment to the island that regenerates areas of the island that have been left to decay. Investment in both long term business focusing on new modern companies and seasonal investment making sure there are new modern attractions on the Island.
• Ensure that all new school children will be registered with access to a local library.

Reporter: htaylor@iwcpmail.co.uk