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Sadly it wasn't the result that we hoped for on the day. National analysis suggests that many people voted against the idea of a Labour government, and the first past the post system again left us with a dreadful choice.
It's time we had electoral reform to get a wider variety of views in parliament, and to get everyone represented in proportion to the votes.
But for now, I'd like to thank my family, and the team of volunteers who have worked so hard over the last few weeks and months across the whole constituency - I have been blown away by the enthusiasm and energy that everyone has put into the campaign.
In the last three years the country has been split thanks to a series of weak conservative prime ministers pandering to their own party's internal battles rather than putting the country first. We will see what come of this in the next few months, and I don't expect to see sunlight uplands anytime soon.
Of course, the elephant in the room is the no deal Brexit scenario we face at the end of 2020.
Sadly, I suspect that it won't be long before we are at the ballot boxes again.
But at the next election the story will be different.
The fact that we had this election anyhow, only two years since the last time, shows that our system is broken. It is high time that we changed from the antiquated first past the post system, to proportional representation. This would allow us to move away from the extremes we see today and get politics back into the great British tradition of sensible compromise.
Thank you all.
Martin.
Martin trained as an engineer and has a background in the hi-tech industry. He has served in local government for over 5 years - including a recent term as the Mayor of Dawlish.
Long an active member of the community, as a town and district councillor Martin has proved himself an outspoken champion of local and environmental causes and a worthy advocate in the fight for social justice.
Martin now wants to take this fight to Westminster: "I feel honoured to have been chosen as the local parliamentary candidate for the Teignbridge Newton Abbot constituency and look forward immensely to the challenges that lie ahead. I care deeply about the area in which I live and want to do more to help our town, village and coastal communities.
"Making headlines for all the wrong reasons, our Tory MP has long been considered out of step. With an election on December 12th, many are telling me she is also out of time. I will continue to knock on doors across the constituency to learn more about what you want from your representative at Westminster - and how I can serve you and our communities better in the future."
Stop this Brexit Mess!
What do Lib Dems Stand for?
Time for more action on climate Change
Support for the WASPI cause
Teignmouth Hustings - Martin Wrigley's opening speech
I am proud to support the People's Vote campaign, and to be recommended by the People's Vote, Devon For Europe and Best for Britain
News...
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Article: Feb 20, 2020
By Wendy Chamberlain
Liberal Democrats have long demanded fundamental reforms to the distribution of power: proportional voting, decentralisation, an elected second chamber.
Sadly, electoral reform has been lacking entirely from the Labour party's leadership contest. That's why, this week, I've written to the three remaining Labour leadership candidates, urging them to ditch our broken voting system in favour of proportional representation.
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Article: Feb 19, 2020
The Liberal Democrats are working hard to tackle the big issues that people are facing across the UK.
✔︎ Ensuring a properly resourced NHS, to provide the highest quality care for our loved ones
✔︎ Fighting to reverse police cuts, to protect our communities from violent crime
✔︎ Protecting our environment. We've already done more to fight the climate emergency than any other party
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Article: Feb 19, 2020
The first time you go canvassing can feel daunting. For many people, going up to a stranger's door, knocking, and starting a conversation isn't something they do every day. They don't often ask people about how they want things to change, in their neighbourhood or across the country as a whole.
More than 1 in 4 of us will experience depression, anxiety or stress this year. Almost every family will be affected.
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Article: Feb 19, 2020
At our latest meeting, the Federal Board welcomed our newest member, Lisa Smart, who has been elected the new chair of the Federal Communications and Elections Committee (FCEC), taking over from James Gurling. Welcome on board, Lisa!
We also welcomed back to the Board Tony Harris as Registered Treasurer and chair of the Federal Finance and Resources Committee (FFRC) and Mike German as Federal Treasurer.
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Article: Feb 18, 2020
Today, Ed Davey and I have written to the Prime Minister, calling for him to reverse plans to scrap the BBC licence fee.
The British Press is by no means without criticism, but at its best, the BBC remains a beacon of independent journalism as well as high-quality entertainment. That's why Liberal Democrats will fight tooth and nail to save it. Read our letter in full below:
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Article: Feb 16, 2020
By Dorothy Thornhill
Last month, the Chair of the Election Review, Dorothy Thornhill, was announced. Now, we're pleased to be able to announce the full review team.
They bring a wide range of skills and experience, in the party and outside to the review and will help the Chair ensure the review that is conducted is thorough.
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Article: Feb 15, 2020
That's the saying I live my life by, because taking action is the only way to change things in this world, and bugger me this world needs some change.
That saying has led me to a lot of places. I joined the party, started delivering leaflets, knocked on doors, stood for council and stood for parliament because I needed to act.
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Article: Feb 14, 2020
Is a full programme of training, events, networking and parties not enough for you? At spring conference this year we have a huge package of policy motions, which all members have the chance to debate, amend and vote on. Here's a quick run-down for you! And if you haven't yet, book your place right here:
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Article: Feb 13, 2020
When a person puts their empty plastic bottle in a recycling bin, they understandably assume it gets recycled.
When I was the Cabinet member for the environment on Rochdale council, and when we sent our paper and cardboard to be recycled, we knew it had new lives as cardboard inserts to kitchen roll.
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Article: Feb 13, 2020
The tiniest of silver linings in that of the Tory majority and the near enough certainty that this Parliament will sit for at least the next four years, is that we now have time to be strategic. We have time to plan.
The fact that our leadership race will not take place until the summer also allows us time to pause, reflect, and consider what we need going forward.
"Changing Britain's Future: no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity"
Liberal Democrat Constitution
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