South West Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats

Yesterday saw three by-elections, which were counted this morning, and the results showed further progress for the Liberal Democrats.

The first was in the Tooting Ward of the London Borough of Wandsworth, and not in particularly promising territory for the party. The result was an expected Labour hold, who had a good result with a 14% increase in vote share. The Conservarive vote share dropped by 3% and the Lib Dems came in third place but with a 4% improvement in their vote share.

Last month, the local heritage line, the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, based in Chinnor which operates a stretch of the former Watlington Line, completed three trial and training sessions of operating trains into Princes Risborough Station.

Passenger carrying trains are likely to commence this month but this should be checked with the railway's website.

it was an even quieter week than last week regarding council by elections. All 3 by elections were on 11th August.

The Returning Officers were away on hoiliday, we reckon.

North Ayrshire UA - a Labour gain from SNP

Worcestershire County Council - a Conservative hold

Renfrewshire UA - an SNP gain from Labour

Plastic bag use has plummeted in England since the introduction of a 5p charge last year, under the previous coalition government.

The number of single-use plastic bags used by shoppers in England has fallen by more than 85%. More than 7bn bags were handed out by seven main supermarkets in the year before the charge but this has been reduced to just over 500m in the first six months after the charge has been introduced.

At every General Election the Liberal Democrats put forward a full list of Parliamentary Candidates. In view of the political turmoil after the close Referendum result and the potentially serious consequences of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union it was judged a possibility that a snap General Election might be called at short notice.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Lib Dem Leader at Herts County Council, has welcomed the county council's letter to new Rail Minister Paul Maynard MP calling on him to get a grip on the appalling rail services offered to Hertfordshire commuters.

"This letter was prompted by LibDem questions at County Hall," Stephen said. "Enough must be enough for our hard-pressed commuters. The company's disastrous performance on its Southern franchise leading to huge cuts in scheduled services has had a knock-on effect for Watford and Tring."

Lib Dem County Councillor for Tring & The Villages, Nick Hollinghurst added Govia needs to go figure what running a passenger railway is about, or it's time for the Government to step in and remove the franchise!"

Congratulations to Liberal Democrat Cllr Thomas Sheriff for his decisive win in a straight fight with the Conservatives in the Alston Moor Ward of Eden District Council in Cumbria.

The result was Liberal Democrats 54.6% and Conservatives 45.4% which represented a Lib Dem Gain from the Conservatives.

And support, it needs! In fact part of the walls needs replacing and a series of charity events are being held to raise money for the church maintenance fund.

What about Tea, Cake and a Train Ride on a miniature railway?

Saturday 13th August from 2.00 p.m. £5 a head

Phone Peter Bristow on 01494 758473 It's all in a good cause!