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 2018.
"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.
Plymouth Lib Dems prep for action, with a general election campaign meeting in Mutley Plain, Saturday 7th September.
Plymouth Lib Dems territory includes 2.5 parliamentary constituencies, so they must supply and support three candidates.
In a very full meeting members heard introductions from Paul Andrew, Sima Davarian and Sarah Martin, and had the opportunity for question and answer discussions.
Paul, a local GP with an RAF background, is candidate for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport.
Sarah, currently a Saltash councillor, is candidate for Plymouth Moor View.
Sima, a local teacher, Plymouth born and bred, has South West Devon.
As membership continues to grow, the meeting was very well attended, the room being barely large enough, and there were a number of new members and supporters present.
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.
