Plymouth Liberal Democrats

Plymouth extended a very warm welcome to our new leader on his first visit to members and supporters outside London on Friday 21st July. Members had travelled from as far afield as St Ives and North Devon to question Vince on his views, policies and outlook for the future of the party.

Brexit was a major issue - engendering much discussion.

Introducing the new Liberal Democrat team of 12 MPs, representing constituencies from Orkney to Eastbourne.

Thank you for each and every vote for the Liberal Democrats nationally, and to everyone who has helped the Liberal Democrat campaign in any way in these seats and across the country.

• Tom Brake, Carshalton
• Vince Cable, Twickenham
• Alistair Carmichael, Orkney and Shetland
• Edward Davey, Kingston and Surbiton
• Tim Farron, Westmorland and Lonsdale
• Wera Hobhouse, Bath
• Christine Jardine, Edinburgh West
• Norman Lamb, North Norfolk
• Stephen Lloyd, Eastbourne
• Layla Moran, Oxford West and Abingdon
• Jamie Stone, Caithness
• Jo Swinson, Dunbartonshire East

Liberal Democrats stand for wise, compassionate policies that care for the environment but also work. - David, Hartley

For us to achieve our goals as a country requires a strong economy, pulling out of one the largest single markets risks everything, I believe people should have the right to u-turn (not just Theresa May!) when it's comes to Brexit. That's why I'm voting Lib-Dem. - Ryan, Stoke

Plymouth and St. Austell Liberal Democrats supported Stephen Gilbert, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Newquay and St Austell, at the BBC1 Spotlight debate on 30th May.

The Liberal Democrat manifesto launched this week, here are some of the highlights of how it would benefit the people of Plymouth.

FUND THE NHS

The Liberal Democrats promise an additional £6 billion a year to the NHS and social care, £1 billion of this is earmarked for mental health. Waiting times for mental health care will be made to match those for physical health care. The Liberal Democrats would give an extra £9.6 million to social care in Plymouth, with a cap on the amount elderly people have to pay. This will be funded by adding 1p to income tax. These measures are widely supported by many health care heads and professional bodies and will help deliver complete healthcare for Plymouth.

The Liberal Democrats in Plymouth have seen a surge in new members over the last eleven months and especially in the past two weeks.

New member Connor Clarke said: "I joined the Lib Dems because they are unashamed in pro-EU, tolerant and internationalist outward-looking politics. Whilst Tories push for a Hard Brexit and Labour captiulate to it, only the Lib Dems can offer the effective opposition this country needs."

Plymouth City Council are proposing to close ten of the city's libraries (Efford, Eggbuckland, Ernesettle, Estover, Laira, North Prospect, Peverell, Stoke, Tothill and West Park).

We believe that libraries provide an important service to local communities and that they should be protected.

Lord Robin Teverson, a former MEP for Plymouth, presented local Liberal Democrat Peter York with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the city on Friday.

Peter, who lives in St Judes, is Honorary President of the city Lib Dems and is the first person from the area to be honoured by the awards panel. The Harriet Smith Distinguished Service Award is the highest reward open to party members who have demonstrated excellence and commitment.

Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords and former MEP for Plymouth & Cornwall Lord Teverson will this evening present local Lib Dem Peter York with the national party's Harriett Smith Distinguished Service Award.

The award recognises Peter's impressive fifty years of service to the Liberals and Liberal Democrats here in Plymouth.

Peter York, President of Plymouth Liberal Democrats, has won the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Annual Party Conference in Brighton. Peter, who lives in St. Judes, is the first member from the area to be recognised by the awards panel.

The Harriet Smith Liberal Democrat Distinguished Service Award is open to any Party Member never elected to public office and who has demonstrated excellence and commitment. "The panel looks for people who deserve recognition for their hard work, long service, and demonstrable dedication to the party, at whatever level. These are special awards to be awarded from the Party for whom public recognition is long overdue."