Tyrone Harewood elected unopposed to Totnes Town Council

12.58.55pm GMT Mon 14th Jan 2008

The Totnes Liberal Democrats would like to congratulate Tyrone Harewood on his unopposed election to the Totnes Town Council. While most Town Councils are not openly political, many members of Totnes Town Council run for election as representatives of political parties.

Tyrone joins fellow Liberal Democrat Geoff Date on the council, and will be working closely with the council and with Liberal Democrats Anne Ward and Robert Vint, who represent the ward at district level.

Totnes Liberal Democrat Constituency Dinner

3.26.04pm GMT Fri 14th Dec 2007

Lembit Opik with Totnes PPC Julian Brazil

The first Saturday of November saw the Royal Seven Stars filled with Liberal Democrats as Lembit Opik came to Totnes to speak at our annual constituency dinner. With a menu of gorgeous food, plenty of enjoyable conversation and (of course) a raffle at the end, the only thing needed to complete the night was an entertaining and inspirational speech - which Lembit ably provided.

Amongst plenty of jokes and political discussion, Lembit also reveled that he planned to stand for party president when the next election takes place and that he would be in favour of hard drugs on the NHS under the right circumstances.

He rounded off the speech by saying that he truly believed that if we worked hard and didn't lose sight of the goal he believed we would be able to get Julian elected at the next general election.

Election News

11.14.42am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Apr 2007

With local elections on May 3rd, Totnes Liberal Democrats have added a number of resources to this website to make news and information about the election more accessible.

You can now find our election manifesto and a details of your local Liberal Democrat candidates, via the tabs on the left hand side of the page, and you can download a copy of our manifesto and election literature from the Downloads section of the website.

Totnes Liberal Democrats will also keep you updated as to the latest news regarding the elections. This week: Postal votes. If you want to apply for a postal vote for the elections on May 3rd, the deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 18th April. You can download a postal vote application form from the South Hams District Council website (www.southhams.gov.uk).

Julian Brazil speaks at Save Dartington College Day

5.06.25pm GMT Sun 28th Jan 2007

Julian Brazil spoke today at the Save Dartington College Day at Totnes Civic Hall. Addressing a large and enthusiastic crowd, he spoke of the progress that had been made already, with the Trust changing its position from refusing to consider the possibility that Dartington College could stay to saying that maybe it could stay. He also spoke of the possibility of the council underwriting the £20 million the Trust say is needed for the college to stay. He stated that he felt underwriting the costs was a risk worth taking, something everyone present seemed to agree with. He assured those present he would be trying to persuade his colleagues on the council to offer to underwrite the costs, and asked that everyone write to Devon County Council to show how much keeping the college in Totnes means to them. He ended by thanking Frank Denyer and Richard Gonski for their hard work.

The day continued with further speakers and live music.

If you wish to see Dartington College stay, please write to the following address:

Cllr. Brian Greenslade, Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD

First Great Western "Not Fit For Purpose"

9.52.38pm GMT Thu 25th Jan 2007

Cornish Liberal Democrat MPs participated today (24th January) in a debate on the First Great Western's dire performance. During the debate it became clear that problems exist in every area of its franchise and with every aspect of its service. All the MPs indicated that they had received huge numbers of complaints from the travelling public, covering the inadequate and perverse timetable, the collapse in reliability and productivity, enormous fare increases and the declining standard of rolling stock. This culminated in the recent action to withdraw carriages from Cornwall to address chaos in Bristol leaving Cornish travellers with only a bus service.

Colin Breed, MP for South East Cornwall, commented today,

"It is quite obvious that First Great Western is just not fit for purpose and should not even be responsible for a train set let alone a whole network. It is time to consider withdrawing the franchise.

Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro & St Austell, said,

"Reducing the on-board services, including the withdrawal of breakfast from early trains from Cornwall, is totally unacceptable penny-pinching.

Julia Goldsworthy, MP for Falmouth and Camborne, added,

"In previous years we saw rolling stock being diverted from branch lines such as Falmouth-Truro in the summer to meet demand elsewhere. We were assured that the new franchise would tackle these problems. Instead they have got worse with carriages being taken from Cornwall altogether. This is not acceptable and both the Government and First Great Western must be taken to account for this."

Right to protest should be a basic liberty - Baroness Miller

1.59.31pm GMT Thu 25th Jan 2007

On Friday, Liberal Democrat Peers will protest outside the House of Lords against the restrictions placed on demonstrations within a kilometre of Parliament.

Following the protest, the Peers will enter the House of Lords to debate Baroness Miller's Public Demonstrations (Repeals) Bill, which will remove the clauses of the 2005 Serious Organised Crime and Police Act which limit demonstrations.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Peer, Baroness (Sue) Miller said:

"In a democracy, citizens should not have to apply for police permission to peacefully protest outside Parliament. The fact that my colleagues and I have to gain permission to protest outside our own House is ridiculous.

"These laws were designed purely to stop Brian Haw protesting, and then issues about terrorism were raised to justify them.

"What these laws have actually done is waste immense amounts of police time on paperwork and on arresting people who have done nothing more than hold a placard outside Parliament.

"Surprisingly, when I requested a copy of the form to make our protest legal, I was informed that it was only available to download from Mark Thomas' web site.

"My Bill will return people's right to protest, which should be a basic liberty in any democracy."

Give Devon and Cornwall Police Force the Support it Deserves

4.24.06pm GMT Tue 23rd Jan 2007

Marking the start of their "We Can Cut Crime" campaign, Devon and Cornwall's Liberal Democrat MPs have tabled a Parliamentary motion, criticising the Government for its lack of support given to the region's police force.

The motion welcomes the new Chief Constable, Mr Stephen Otter, to his post and praises his commitment to increase public confidence in the local police. However, it also expresses concern at the Government's announcement that Devon and Cornwall will have to reduce its budget by £7 million in 2008 and highlights the Home Office decision to renege on its promise to fund 179 extra Community Support Officers in the region.

Research published by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that only one in every hundred crimes committed leads to a court conviction.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy MP for Falmouth and Camborne, said:

"After a difficult period, the new Chief Constable will face some tough challenges but he clearly has high ambitions for what can be achieved in Devon and Cornwall. We will be doing all we can to ensure that his force will receive all the support it needs and deserves from this Government."

"Whilst the Government has been quick to produce headline grabbing soundbites, these have not been matched by fair funding for our police force.

Nick Harvey, MP for Devon North added:

"Our cutting crime campaign recognises that legislation is not a proxy for action and instead outlines the five ways in which Liberal Democrats would make Britain safer.

"Instead of botched merger proposals and budget reductions, Devon and Cornwall deserves more police offers, free from bureaucracy, so that local people can feel safer."

EDM 680 - Tabled by Devon and Cornwall's Lib Dem MPs:

That this House welcomes Stephen Otter to his new post as Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary; notes his commitment to increase the confidence that the public have in their local police; recognises the vital support work of the 600 special constables; regrets the recent announcement that the force will be expected to cut its annual budget by £7 million in 2008; further regrets that the Home Office has reneged on its commitment to fund nearly 200 extra community support officers; and calls on the Government to deliver fair funding for police in Devon and Cornwall.

The Liberal Democrat 5 Steps to Make Britain Safer:

1) More Police on patrol - don't waster billions on ID cards.

2) Compulsory work and training in prison to cut re-offending.

3) Better compensation for victims paid for by prison work.

4) Take back our town centre - let communities close pubs and clubs that cause trouble.

5) Make sentences mean what they say - life should mean life.

We Can Cut Crime Campaign Launched

4.19.16pm GMT Tue 23rd Jan 2007

The Liberal Democrats have launched the 'We Can Cut Crime' campaign, unveiling five steps to a safer Totnes and Britain. The launch marks the start of a national campaign that will see cutting crime as the centrepiece of the Liberal Democrat run-up to the local elections in May.

Launching the campaign, Menzies Campbell said:

"Shockingly, we live in a country where only one in every hundred crimes committed leads to a court conviction.

"Just one in every hundred.

"That means you are twice as likely to buy a winning lottery ticket as you are to be convicted in court of a crime that you have committed."

The five step plan to a safer Britain is:

• More police on patrol rather than wasting billions on ID cards

• Empowering the public to take back town centres

• Honesty in sentencing - including making life mean life

• Compulsory work and training in prison to cut re-offending

• Better compensation for victims, paid for by prison work

Menzies Campbell will add:

"To fight crime effectively, we don't need to get tougher, we need to get smarter.

"A liberal approach to crime is an honest approach to crime. It is based on what works rather than what sounds good.

"It targets the offender rather than the innocent. And it has the courage to engage with the criminal and reform their behaviour."

Mike Treleaven presents Water Justice Petition to 10 Downing Street - Thursday March 24th.

12.00.00am GMT Sat 26th Mar 2005

Totnes Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Mike Treleaven, presented his petition calling for 'Water Justice' to 10 Downing Street at 9.00a.m. on Thursday March 24th. The petition calls for fair treatment for people in the South West where 3% of the population pay for the clean up of 30% of the nation's beaches.

After handing in the petition Mike Treleaven said:

'Water bills in South Devon and the South West generally are 30% above the average for the rest of the country and have risen 16% this year as customers will have found out recently when the bills landed on their doormats. I am calling for Government to equalise the charges over the country. There was provision for this in a 1977 Act of Parliament but this was repealed by the Conservatives when they privatised water in the 1980s. As a result of privatisation Britain was unable to claim EU money to help pay for the beach clean up and bills in the South West have rocketed as local people have had to foot the bill. Last year Liberal Democrat M.P., Richard Younger-Ross, tabled an amendment to the Water Bill to allow equalisation but this was rejected by the Labour Government.'

He continued:

'Over recent weeks I have been collecting signatures for my petition throughout the constituency and presented the first batch to Downing Street on Thursday together with Liberal Democrat Party Chairman, Mathew Taylor M.P.an Falmouth and Camborne PPC, Julia Godsworthy. These high charges are imposing intolerable burdens, particularly on pensioners and the low paid for whom no help is available - it is time for action. It is time for Water Justice!'

Mike Treleaven to present Water Justice Petition to 10 Downing Street - Thursday March 24th.

9.13.22am GMT Wed 23rd Mar 2005

Totnes Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Mike Treleaven, will present his petition calling for 'Water Justice' to 10 Downing Street at 9.00a.m. on Thursday March 24th. The petition calls for fair treatment for people in the South West where 3% of the population pay for the clean up of 30% of the nation's beaches.

Speaking before travelling to London with the petition Mike Treleaven said:

'Water bills in South Devon and the South West generally are 30% above the average for the rest of the country and have risen 16% this year as customers will have found out recently when the bills landed on their doormats. I am calling for Government to equalise the charges over the country. There was provision for this in a 1977 Act of Parliament but this was repealed by the Conservatives when they privatised water in the 1980s. As a result of privatisation Britain was unable to claim EU money to help pay for the beach clean up and bills in the South West have rocketed as local people have had to foot the bill. Last year Liberal Democrat M.P., Richard Younger-Ross, tabled an amendment to the Water Bill to allow equalisation but this was rejected by the Labour Government.'

He continued:

'Over recent weeks I have been collecting signatures for my petition throughout the constituency and will be presenting these to 10 Downing Street on Thursday along with colleagues Julia Goldsworthy and Mathew Taylor from Cornwall. These high charges are imposing intolerable burdens, particularly on pensioners and the low paid for whom no help is available - it is time for action. It is time for Water Justice!'

Archive of earlier news stories