South West Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats

Leavers were fond of telling us that we are the fifth largest economy in the world. Indeed, but did they look at the size of the first three?

The first two are giants, and would drive two very one-sided hard bargains with us. But, hey, leaving the EU will give us a chance to do more business with the so-called BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China. Well, the last one is China again - one of those tough talking giants we just mentioned. The others are actually not really as large as you might think - and they all have economic problems of their own.

Time for Hertfordshire to benefit from London-style bus operating

Sandy Walkington, Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson on the county council, gained unanimous all-party support when he proposed a motion that the county council seize the bus franchising opportunities offered by the Bus Services Bill.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst 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 by Govia Thameslink on the St Albans and Welwyn-Stevenage routes.

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

LibDem transport spokesperson Sandy Walkington 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."

With two gains, two holds and progress everywhere it really has been a good week. However, the star result had to be a Liberal Democrat GAIN in Newlyn & Goonhavern (Cornwall) from the Conservatives. Both the Tory and the Mebyon Kernow leaving the Lib Dems ahead with 24% in a fragmented field.

Newlyn & Goonhavern (Cornwall UA) 28th July
LIB DEM: 24.4% (+24.4)
CONS: 23.1% (-23.0)
IND: 16.1% (+16.1)
MK: 15.9% (-28.1)
LAB: 7.6% (-2.2)
IND: 7.4%
IND: 5.3%

After a close result last time this ward was fought, the Liberal Democrats have now gained the seat. Let not the headline - composed for accuracy - detract from the first class campaign by John Birch, the Liberal Democrat candidate in a by election in Bridgetown Ward for a seat on South Hams District Council. John was ably assisted by Cllr Robert Vint who is already a South Hams District Councillor, as well as being on Devon County Council. Robert recently joined the Liberal Democrats from the Green Party.

The Liberal Democrats at Tuesday's County Council meeting called for the Conservative administration to think again about its proposals to cut support for people with homelessness problems.

Lib Dem spokesperson County Councillor Ron Tindall said: 'The homeless in our society are not voters, they often exist in the twilight of our communities, isolated, and often difficult to reach.

The Conservatives are now moving fast to take control of what may remain of the UK.

Now they've cowbarred us out of Europe, a whole raft of human rights legislation will no longer be available to protect people from government excess - and that includes their take-over of our schools.

It was only last October that David Cameron announced he wanted "every school to become an Academy" - in other words, to be cut loose from local councils and democratic oversight, and controlled directly by the Department for Education. Then in March, the Conservative Government announced this would indeed be national policy.