Hello and Welcome to our website. Here we will keep you up to date on our campaigns, activities, news and events.
The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.
For more information about Tessa Munt, her local and parliamentary work and advice centres please go to http://www.tessamunt.org.uk/
Young people from across Somerset today pleaded with the Tory run Somerset County Council to save the Youth Service.
Cllr Sam Crabb, Leader of the Somerset Liberal Democrat Group said, "The Tory Cabinet at Somerset County Council just does not understand young people, finance or business. They are sleep walking towards disaster. They are determined to cut to the bone all non-statutory services, like they have already done with the Arts, tried to do with the Library Service and they are now decimating the Youth Service and our bus services."
Local MP Tessa Munt met with the Prime Minister, David Cameron, in Number 10 Downing Street on Monday afternoon to discuss the challenges faced by residents and businesses in rural Somerset.
Tessa asked the Prime Minister to consider what the Government might do to address concerns about many aspects of life in rural Somerset - the high cost of housing and the lack of affordable homes in anywhere except the major towns and cities, the difficulties in getting full-time, longer term employment rather than a patchwork of part-time and seasonal jobs, the problems of getting a choice in healthcare and education as the nearest services are in reality the only services on offer, and the fact that due to the unfair formula for funding rural local authorities, rural residents pay Council Tax which is on average £100 more than those living in cities, but often have to travel many miles to access the very services for which they pay through their taxes.
Local MP Tessa Munt recently presented 'Promise' badges to members of the Cheddar Scouts group.
These badges reflect the work the Scouts have done in the preceding term, including representing their Troop at the Cheddar Remembrance Day parade and taking part in Troop activities such as formulating a Code of Conduct.
Sir Graham Watson MEP was the VIP guest speaker at a supper near Burnham hosted by local Liberal Democrats and atte nded by Tessa Munt MP.
Over 40 members and supporters from the Wells Constituency Liberal Democrats attended the event on Saturday evening to hear Sir Graham speak about the critical issues facing Europe from the past, present and future.
Sedgemoor Liberal Democrats have questioned the Portfolio holder for the Environment, Councillor Richard Burden, over news that 50 fines of £50 each had been issued for illegal fly-tipping, at a time when the numbers of incidents have doubled since last year. Sedgemoor LibDem Leader and Councillor for Highbridge & Burnham Marine ward, Joe Leach, said; "I welcome the news that fines have been issued over this awful activity - however I have some concerns as to whether these fines go far enough". He asked, "Can the portfolio holder confirm whether the fines cover the individual cost of the fly-tipping incident, because it isn't simply a fine to punish people for their offence, but to ensure that costs of their actions are met"
He finished, "It is unacceptable that taxpayers pay for other people's actions".
The Portfolio holder was unaware of the figures, but pledged 'he would respond as soon as he can'.
It follows the County Council's decision earlier this year to reduce the hours at Recycling Centres and impose new charges for certain types of waste, including at Highbridge centre. Many people have felt aggrived to paying the additional cost and have sought to illegally dump their waste.
Councillor Leach commented, "I totally understand people's frustrations at having to pay extra costs to recycle, but the answer is not to illegally dispose of it, as this will cost more in the long run. Please instead write to your county councillor, expressing your anger."
The result of the Brent County Council by-election on December 5th was:
Con 1285 (58.0; -12.0)
LD Helen Groves 932 (42.0; +17.4)
[Lab (0.0; -5.4)]
Majority 353
Turnout 29.7%
Con hold
Percentage change is since June 2009.
The Brent division of Somerset County Council is a collection of small
villages in the Somerset Levels sandwiched between the resorts of
Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea. Until 1988 it had a Liberal
Councillor, but since then it has become the safest Conservative seat in
Somerset with them receiving nearly 70% of the vote in the last county
council elections.
Our candidate Helen Groves is a town councillor from Burnham-on-Sea who
is involved with a number of local community groups. The Conservatives
chose a local farmer and district councillor as their candidate.
What this by-election showed though was that even in big very rural
county divisions, it's still possible to run election campaigns that make
an impact. We didn't win, (although we think it was the biggest swing
from the Conservatives to us in the constituency in 30 years), but if we
can get a 15% swing against the Conservatives in other places in the next
county council elections we will do very well indeed.
In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."
Local MP Tessa Munt today continued in her bid to stop 152ft super-sized pylons being imposed on the Somerset countryside when she presented an impressive petition to the House of Commons.
This follows Tessa's success two weeks ago when she introduced her Protection of Landscapes Bill which would change the law to prevent these pylons being erected because they are cheaper than other options.
Tessa Munt MP visited Framptons main site in Shepton Mallet to see how this very successful local family firm operates and to learn more about the business.
Tessa met with Andrew Frampton, the firm's Managing Director and with Richard Fry, General Manager, who has recently become the national Chair of the Road Haulage Association. Tessa watched a brief presentation on what Frampton's does, discussed the many challenges facing the haulage industry and then toured the offices, warehouses and workshops.
