The "Let Us be Heard" march in London on 19th October met its target of one million people, and there were great cheers in the streets outside Parliament when the government lost the vote on the Letwin Amendment. Lib Dems were present in large numbers, and prominent at the head of the march.

A number of Plymouth Lib Dems took part, and Sima Davarian, PPC for South West Devon, was in the group leading the march, just behind Caroline Voaden MEP.

Sarah Martin has been selected as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Plymouth Moor View constituency.

Sarah has worked most of her life in marketing and communications, recently for the local NHS.

Like so many others Sarah only became a member of the Liberal Democrats following the 2016 referendum. She has been very active in local and national elections and was elected as a Saltash Town Councillor in 2019.

"After spending ten years of my life post-university working in Germany, and seeing how the movement of people, goods and services within Europe changed and enhanced our country's landscape, I was appalled to think that we had voted by such a narrow margin to leave.

"Three years later so many people feel politically homeless. The landscape we are faced with at Westminster has changed beyond all recognition, and the things that should be important to us are taking a back seat. That is unacceptable.

"As a country we need to move forward. Brexit has sapped enough of our energy but also our democratic power and needs to be put to bed with a second referendum, which must include the option to remain. Our success as a party in this year's local and European elections has shown how important that is to the general public.

"We need a renewed effort to get the Liberal voice heard in Moor View and to show a way forward out of the mire of current politics. Mostly I want to offer the residents of Moor View a more tolerant, outward-looking and positive future.

More photos from the protest yesterday in Plymouth against the suspension of parliament. Featuring Sima Davarian (Lib Dem PPC), Luke Pollard (Labour MP), Jane Stevenson (Yellow Rose Initiative, and Green Party).

Overall it was a very positive experience, with people from different parties and organizations in Devon and Cornwall meeting and networking.

There was a fantastic turnout in Plymouth city centre, to protest against the suspension of Parliament. The actions of Johnson and Cummings are an attack on our democracy and must be stopped. Many groups supported the event, including Plymouth Lib Dems, Plymouth Labour, Devon For Europe, Plymouth Greens, Extinction Rebellion Plymouth, concerned local citizens, and more.

Earlier today protesters gathered outside the local office of Geoffrey Cox MP, Tavistock. Cox is the Attorney General and close colleague and legal advisor of Boris Johnson. After speeches there, the protesters went to the square, for photos and further short speeches from Labour and Lib Dem members.
The protest ranged wide in age and politics, with some obvious Lib Dems and Labour, Green party and non party placards against the coup. There were Devon for Europe badges too.
Lib Dem David Chalmers, was interviewed by Spotlight. David is Parliamentary Spokesman for Torridge & West Devon, and Chair of the Lib Dem European Group.
In the square the crowd assembled for photos, then the political banners arrived, with the bright red Torridge and West Devon Labour flag, flanked by long white Lib Dem banners reading "Stop the Coup!" and "Save Our Democracy".
There is a letter going to Geoffrey Cox, and some clipboard people were collecting signatures. The clipboards seemed to be getting "sign ups" from passers by as well as protesters. There was no sign of hostility to the protest.

If you wish to stand against Johnson's attempt to force through a No Deal Brexit, then join in on Saturday from 11am at the Sundial in Plymouth city centre.

However, this is about more than Brexit - it is an affront on Democracy and Parliament.

The "March for Change" in London on Saturday, 20th July, was not as big as some others, it being holiday season and short notice, but it was more enjoyable, with more room for people to walk easily, and even dance down the street.

At the Dorchester at 1100, there were a few Lib Dems gathering, but we missed a big Lib Dem photoshoot, as we went to the head of the march for the start.
Along the way sprinkles of bright yellow Lib Dem T shirts and placards were visible, in ones and twos, and small groups. All of them had the same simple unequivocal message, Stop Brexit. There were other groups and parties with their own slogans and placards, but none so visible and straightforward and direct as the Lib Dems.

Whilst the Conservative party horrify the world with their very public shambles of a leadership contest, LibDems brought us their quieter and better quality version at their leadership hustings on last Friday night, 21st June.
The two contestants are Ed Davey and Jo Swinson, introduced by Lord Teverson, and they were speaking to a packed room at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel. Nearly 250 members from around the South West attended.

We want to say thank you to everyone who has helped over the course of the EU election campaign, as well as to everyone who has supported us and voted for us (in both the Local and EU elections).

In the EU election, the Lib Dems came second nationally, with over 20% of the vote. That makes us the leading party of remain. Plymouth tends to be a tough area for us as a party, but we have made gains here over the last couple of years. Impressively, we also came second in Plymouth, gaining 14% of the vote. This shows that our efforts, both locally and nationally, are succeeding. Our clear position on wanting to remain a member of the EU, combined with our reputation for progressive policies, in areas such as the environment and mental health, are clearly resonating with the public.