Liberals further call for the equalisation of the age of consent for sexual activity. The gypsy and travelling communities are a constant source of friction. The current prejudice against their way of life and the haphazard provision of facilities contribute to the confrontational attitudes often taken up on both 'sides'. We wish to see a nationwide plan for permanent and transit sites, with a common educational provision for children. We believe that this is necessary to bring travelling people within the ambit of an acceptable legal framework which should also encourage attitudes of responsible citizenship from the travellers themselves.
Liberals reject the patronising and often discriminatory treatment of older people.
We do not believe in inflexible age limits either to retirement or to pensions. We seek a flexible system of part-time work and job sharing which would provide a more sensitive transition to complete retirement and assist in paying for better pensions. We favour properly resourced care in the community wherever possible for frail elderly people and would support more sheltered housing schemes and the 'Staying Put' project which, by making often minor alterations to properties, enables individuals to stay longer in their own homes. Liberals supported the Disabled Persons Act of 1986 and welcome its full implementation but call for sufficient resources to make it effective. Liberals particularly value the contribution of voluntary agencies and urge their better support through grant aid.