AMBITIOUS plans to make Liverpool the European Green Capital are being set out by the city’s Liberal Democrats as they start a major campaign to win back support.

The party is launching a major ‘listening’ initiative as it seeks to rebuild after a series of punishing local elections.

Today in an exclusive interview with the Daily Post Liverpool Lib Dem leader Paula Keaveney admits to key failings that saw the party lose power in 2010. She said: “I think one of the things we got wrong was that we stopped articulating that we had a clear vision for the city.

“There was also a combination of the Labour party developing more strength, us sliding electorally, and then all the stories about rows and splits coming out for some time.

“Frankly, if you were writing a manual about how to present yourself, we did the opposite.”

Setting out a new vision for Liverpool is now the key plank of the party’s fightback campaign.

More than 300 organisations across the city are being sent copies of a document which sets out a vision for Liverpool to become the European Green Capital in the next decade.

The seven-page report, authored by deputy leader Cllr Richard Kemp, is also available via the party’s website where residents are being asked to leave feedback.

It sets out the Liberal Democrat view of the future, but also asks readers to respond to a series of questions, aimed at shaping future policy.

Cllr Kemp said: “We want to recreate the spirit that helped us win Capital of Culture when the whole of Liverpool was involved in a debate about what the city should be doing.

“ There is no city in the country that is better placed to the European Green Capital. We have tide, river, wind and sun.”