Lib Dems have been out across South West Devon supporting your local Parliamentary candidate Sima Davarian. Not only will Sima make an excellent MP, but a vote for the Lib Dems is a vote to stop Brexit, solve the climate emergency, and rescue the NHS. It's been fantastic to see so many members and supporters joining the campaign, and we look forward to sharing more news via our website and social media channels.

This is about Dennis. Dennis is not a candidate and not famous (until now). Dennis is the man who delivers the stakeboards and window posters in the South West Devon constituency. Most of the people are in densely populated suburbs around the eastern side of Plymouth, and a couple of smaller towns, but most of the constituency is very rural, running from Dartmoor down through the South Hams to the sea. We joked about Dennis delivering by boat, on a day when heavy rain and flooded roads prevented some people from getting home, and the trains didn't run on time, or even at all in some cases. But what he mainly had to contend with was mud. The South Hams "area of outstanding natural beauty" is in November an area of outstanding mud. We don't know exactly why we have to have an election in December, but we do know for sure why it's not usually chosen.
Anyway stakeboards are up in strategic locations, for the first people who volunteered to have them, and more to come. And a heap of posters to go out for windows.
On the map, the northern part where there are no place names, we don't deliver there, no-one lives on the hills there but sheep and ponies. And you can see the neighbouring constituency of Totnes, for all that Totnes is a pretty little town, it's a very rural area, with no real conurbation, and also runs from the moors to the sea coast. Around the country there must be many people like Dennis in wilder locations, and with winter coming on, not an easy job. Which leads us to wonder ... does anyone actually deliver by boat ?

Sima Davarian for South West Devon

Find out more about Sima here

Sarah Martin for Plymouth Moor View

Find out more about Sarah here

Graham Reed for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport

Find out more about Graham here

GRAHAM REED - LIBERAL DEMOCRAT - PLYMOUTH SUTTON AND DEVONPORT

Graham stood as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Plymouth Sutton and Devonport Constituency in 2015 and for Moor View in 2017. He is delighted to have another chance to represent Plymouth.
Graham worked for many years manufacturing scientific apparatus for industry and science. He gained a degree in politics and was a City Councillor for five years. That work, representing local people in the community, gave him valuable experience and understanding to be able to tackle the major issues facing Plymouth and the West Country. He is currently Parish Councillor for Bere Ferrers. He is a lifelong supporter of liberal values and has always fought for these basic core principals and goals: a fairer voting system to ensure everyone has true, democratic representation; a strong and competent economy, a sustainable Environment, good housing, proper education and health care for all. He strongly supports co-operative owned businesses and Societies and is a director for Tamar Energy Community, an energy-saving co-op that is fighting Climate Change.
Graham said, "Liberal Democrats can be proud of a positive record serving communities across the southwest. In Government we lifted the poorest paid out of
Income Tax and locked the annual Pension increase for the elderly. The Conservatives have continued to harm Britain's future prosperity through their in-
fighting over Brexit and damaging policies towards our Care System, Education and horse-trading the NHS. Labour has proved in the past it cannot be trusted on the economy and still cannot make up it mind on its relationship with Europe. I ask for your support to become the representative of the voters of Plymouth Sutton and Devonport."
Vote to modernise Britain - VOTE Liberal Democrat

Sima is a secondary school English teacher and is standing as parliamentary candidate in South West Devon. She grew up in South West Devon experiencing the rural nature of the constituency on a daily basis, where her maternal grandfather had strong links with the local farming community. Wherever she has studied or travelled, the rolling green hills of the constituency are always a sure sign that she is nearly home.

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.

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.

The Liberal Democrats passionately believe that the UK will have a brighter and better future if we remain a member of the EU. At a time when nationalism and populism are on the rise, it is vital that we continue to fight for a liberal, outward looking, inclusive society. We have been campaigning hard in Plymouth, across the South West, and throughout the rest of the UK, in the run up to the EU Election. We will continue to stand up for the values that others wish to erode.

Join the winning team

Following our record-breaking victories in the recent council elections, and our clear EU election polling as the leading party of remain, we would love you to join us. Alternatively, you could become a supporter and help out with the forthcoming European Elections and beyond. The EU elections have never been more important than they are right now.

Plymouth Lib Dems are campaigning in the South West with a clear Stop Brexit message for the EU elections. Today a group of us helped in Totnes, canvassing and running a street stall with leading candidate Caroline Voaden. We have lots more planned in Plymouth and beyond, with members out canvassing and leafleting. We had a great response from residents and members of the public. The fact that we are polling so well, proves that we are the leading remain party. It is clear that the Lib Dems represent the best choice for voters who would like to remain a member of the EU.

Our campaigning for the EU elections is well underway, with a clear remain message. We have a great shortlist of candidates in the South West and Gibraltar constituency, with Caroline Voaden number 1 on the list. Caroline has previously stood as Parliamentary candidate in SW Devon.

In Plymouth, we are out canvassing and delivering leaflets. We are also helping the wider region with activity in areas such as South Hams and Totnes.

With the 2019 Council Elections over, I want to thank all members, supporters and those electors who voted Liberal Democrat. A particularly special message of thanks is due to all those who helped to deliver the Liberal Democrat message in Plymstock and Compton.

Finally, thanks to all our candidates, some of whom have achieved very encouraging results.