South West of England and Gibraltar Liberal Democrats Candidate Biographies

CAROLINE VOADEN

Caroline is a former Reuters journalist who covered the Balkan War. She was part of the team that launched Justgiving.com, which g

ave the charity world online fundraising. Widowed at 34, she is a former chair of the WAY (Widowed and Young) Foundation

Speaking at the Liberal Democrats South West of England European Campaign launch in Bristol today (Tuesday May 7 2019), Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary spokesperson, Wera Hobhouse MP for Bath said:

"Vote Liberal Democrat: Stop Brexit. That's the clear message of the Lib Dem European election campaign in the South West and across the country. Looking at Thursday's amazing local council election results, that's clearly what many South West voters want. They know Brexit is a national embarrassment and an economic, social and environmental disaster.

Wiltshire Council today narrowly adopted the Lib Dem call for the Council to acknowledge a climate emergency and to seek carbon neutrality by 2030.

Below is the text of Brian Mathew's motion that was adopted:

To consider the following motion submitted in accordance with the constitution:

Lib Dem councillors on Wiltshire Council voted against the County's ruling Conservative budget for 2019/20 and proposed an alternative approach.

Speaking in the debate this morning, Lib Dem leader Cllr Ian Thorn described the budget as "failing the people of Wiltshire".

Cllr Thorn added, "Today's budget is more of the same. For 10 years Wiltshire residents have witnessed relentless cuts.

Wiltshire Liberal Democrats today have launched their vision for Wiltshire.

DEMANDING BETTER

This document is the start of a process of developing a fully costed Liberal Democrat manifesto for the Wiltshire Council elections in 2021. It sets out the Lib Dem approach and our immediate priorities for Wiltshire. It is the first step in a process that will include discussions and consultation with residents, businesses and the impressive array of community groups and organisations that make up our diverse county.

For as long as I can remember, Salisbury Library has been at the centre of the Salisbury community. Wiltshire Council's plan to relocate Salisbury Library to a new facility underneath a Travelodge will reduce the library's capacity by 70%. Sign the Salisbury Library Petition.

Charlotte James explains why she is leading the campaign to ensure Salisbury doesn't lose out in this redevelopment.

The almost 16,500 people who protested the Conservative Run Wiltshire Council proposals to close the counties outdoor education centres will be celebrating today following a proposal to save the service.

"I hope the Cabinet have learned many lessons here. The original closure of both Braeside and Oxenwood was announced behind closed doors at a Cabinet meeting last March. The time allowed for expressions of interest was too short. Staff were not properly consulted. All of that was wrong. Many people have worked hard including my Liberal Democrat Councillor colleagues to get us to a better place unlike the Labour Councillors who couldn't be bothered to attend key meetings.

Over the years Wiltshire Council has rejected Liberal Democrat Councillors calls for the Council to invest in LED street lighting. LED lights are cheaper, better and environmentally friendly.

Sadly, our words fell on deaf ears until now.

Currently just 3% of our County's our 45,000 existing lights are LED. Lighting Wiltshire's highways, car parks and amenity spaces costs‎ £1.9m a year. Electricity costs rose by 7% last year alone.

Reacting to the ‎news of Wiltshire Council's last minute U-turn to drop Sunday car parking charges due to start this Sunday, Leader of the Opposition and Lib Dem Group Leader on Wiltshire Council Ian Thorn said,

"I'm delighted that Wiltshire Council's Cabinet have finally seen sense. These Sunday parking charges were a terrible idea.