According to the Liberal Democrats Party website the Liberal Democrats Party will try to achieve the following if they gain power at the 2010 general election:

Britain’s rich heritage has a major impact on the quality of our communities and provides many of the most fulfilling moments in our lives. We believe that everybody should have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy a diverse range of cultural and sporting experiences. We will increase funding to community sports and help to improve the health of the whole nation. We will secure arts and heritage by restoring the independence of National Lottery funds. We will also ensure that public service broadcasting remains strong, free from interference and securely funded.

Cultural Britain – We recognise the enormous contribution that arts, heritage and culture make to the lives of citizens and to the economy, and the part they can play in education. The arts play a major role in building Britain’s reputation worldwide. The country’s museums play a vital part in community regeneration, but they have been neglected under Labour. We will invest in museums and galleries and in Arts Council England’s core budget.

Free Media – Essential to a free society is a strong and diverse media free from government interference and pressure. Independent, impartial and trusted media sources are needed across the UK and its nations and regions. We will ensure that public service broadcasting remains strong, free from interference and securely funded, not least to provide impartial news, independent of political and commercial pressures. We also recognise the vital roles that commercial radio, television and new media play. We will foster a climate in which diverse ownership and competition can thrive, and provide flexible regulation that adapts to the rapidly changing media environment.

Sport for all – Promoting sport and exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle is an important part of public health. We will use large events, like the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to inspire the whole nation to get active. Having opposed Labour’s raid on Lottery-funded sports bodies, we will provide investment for community and schools sports activities and sports facilities. We will give sports fans a better deal by ensuring that they have a greater say in the running of their sports and by reviewing the events broadcast on terrestrial television.

I would be interested to hear both positive and negative views on Liberal Democrats Arts and Culture policies in the comments below?