Local News

Labour rule has failed Exeter

As Exeter's MP steps in (Echo 1/3/18) to explain the bus station issues, it poses fundamental questions. Where is Exeter Council Leader Pete Edwards? Why do half the voters in the city choose the Labour Party to run affairs when they are so obviously failing? If people oppose austerity, why do they vote for a Labour Party whose over-riding priority for over a decade has been to build a premium swimming pool? Is this what people in hardship are asking for? If people vote for the Labour Party's vision of new facilities, do they feel let down? Even though they have spent big on a pool that the swimming club doesn't like and a smaller bus station that bus users don't like, Labour have failed to deliver any development at all and have lost both their partners for the pool and the wider development with millions of pounds of planning investment wasted. Businesses, shoppers and workers will be deterred from the city centre by the double whammy of U-turn permission for out-of-town shopping and a 13% hike in par

The Marsh Barton ‘half hourly train service from 2018’… is running late!

Exeter's long awaited new railway station at Marsh Barton is running late.... in fact, so late it's years behind schedule with no sign of being built as costs sky rocket, says concerned local county councillor Alan Connett. Just two years ago, Devon County Council announced "The station is due to be opened in 2016. A half hourly frequency is expected to serve the station from 2018 as part of a major timetable revision…" But starved of essential Government funding and with costs to build the station rocketing from £4.3million to £13 million, Cllr Connett is concerned the station at Marsh Barton may never be built. "This delay is an example of the way the Government is starving Devon of much needed investment. This station is a vital link in the plans for Exeter's development along with new stations like Newcourt and Cranbrook," said Cllr Connett. "The Government refused vital funding for Marsh Barton earlier this year and the next round of grants is not until 2020, so that's at least two more years delay and i

People flocking to Exeter Liberal Democrats after General Election triggered

The recent announcement of a snap General Election has been met with enthusiasm by Liberal Democrat supporters in Exeter and around the country.

Exeter Lib Dems 2017 election campaign picking up speed

Exeter Liberal Democrats delighted with election win in Richmond Park

Recent years have seen the rise of angry, intolerant and divisive forces in Britain, Europe & the USA. A blow was struck yesterday for the values of tolerance, equality and liberty. On an explicit platform of wishing to strength en our partnership with our international neighbours, Sarah Olney has taken the next step in a remakable journey. Having not been involved in politics just 18 months ago, she has become the ninth Liberal Democrat to become a member of this parliament, eroding the gross under-representation of our national support caused by our obsolete voting system. She also reintroduces some gender balance to our parliamentary team.

Liberal Democrats meet Exeter shoppers

Tessa Munt to visit Exeter

Tessa Munt (former MP for Wells) will be joining Exeter Lib Dem members and supporters to discuss the effects of the recent EU referendum.

Dennis Brewer discusses Brexit in Exeter

Surge in membership of Liberal Democrats in Exeter

Someone has joined the Lib Dems every single minute since the referendum result including many in Exeter. Our assumptions about institutionalised British values of equality, freedom, liberty and justice have been rocked as the refendum represented a tipping point to the instincts of fear, insularity and division.

Exeter Liberal Democrats united in shock at the vote to Leave

Unlike the other main parties, we are united in our shock at the referendum decision and the advance of fear, intolerance and division.

Exeter Lib Dems fighting for our place in Europe

Exeter Lib Dem activists played a significant part in the campaign to keep Britain working IN partnership with our European neighbours.

Exeter City Council results update

Liberal Democrats had another tough set of local elections on 5 May, fought within new larger ward boundaries. We worked hard in more areas than before and fielded a strong slate of candidates in 19 of the 39 seats on offer.