Mole Valley Liberal Democrats

Only a vote for Paul Kennedy can de-rail the Tory plans

The County Council elections saw a surge in support for the Liberal Democrats in our area, with the Party's vote climbing from 28% in 2013 to nearly 40% on May 4th. Liberal Democrat councillors Hazel Watson and Stephen Cooksey were re-elected with increased majorities.

Many residents expressed their anger at the Conservatives' appalling record in running Surrey County Council. Despite their "strong" majority, they have left a black hole in the finances, and are making huge cuts to vital services such as schools and social care.

The results of yesterday's County Council elections show no change from the previous County Councillors elected in 2013 for the 6 County Divisions in the area covered by Mole Valley District.

Liberal Democrats Hazel Watson (Dorking Hills) and Stephen Cooksey (Dorking South & The Holmwoods) were both returned with increased majorities.

Paul Kennedy is a former barrister, accountant and actuary with over 30 years' experience working in both public and private sectors. He helped develop the citizens pension policy which was introduced by the Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government to give pensioners dignity and security in retirement. Paul now wants to use his professional experience as a full-time MP to serve the people of Mole Valley.

People in Mole Valley constituency should vote for the Liberal Democrats to prevent a hard Brexit and protect our local economy, the party's Parliamentary candidate Paul Kennedy has said today.

After previously denying she would hold an early election before 2020, the Prime Minister today [Tuesday] called a snap General Election to be held on the 8^th June.

The Liberal Democrats are standing on a clear platform to prevent a hard Brexit by staying in the Single Market, and to give the British people the final say on the Brexit deal through a referendum.

Paul Kennedy, Liberal Democrat candidate for Mole Valley, commented:

"This election is a huge opportunity for voters in Mole Valley to change the direction of our country and prevent a disastrous hard Brexit.

"People in Mole Valley voted to remain in the EU, and certainly did not vote for the extreme form of Brexit that Theresa May says she wants to impose on us.

"For all those who want to protect our local economy by staying in the Single Market and ensure the people have the final say over what comes next, this is your chance.

"The Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to the Conservative Brexit Government and the only party fighting for a Britain that is open, tolerant and united."

Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that the Conservative Secretary of State for the Environment Food & Rural Affairs, Andrea Leadsom MP, has called upon councils to scrap their charges for disposing of household waste at Community Recycling Centres (CRCs). Conservative-run Surrey County Council brought in the unpopular charges in September 2016 despite massive opposition from Liberal Democrat county councillors and residents.

Liberal Democrat county councillors in Surrey are delighted that following a question in the House of Lords by Lib Dem Environment spokesperson Baroness Kate Parminter, it has again been confirmed that DIY waste should be disposed of for free.

The Conservative Minister Lord Bourne, stated in a written answer on 20th March 2017 that DIY waste is household waste and should therefore be disposed of for free. However Conservative-run Surrey County Council continues to charge for the disposal of waste from DIY claiming that it is not household waste.

As the closure of Sexual Health Clinics in Surrey starts to come into effect with the transfer of services to CNWL, our campaign demanding proper consultation regarding the clinics is starting to have some effect. Following the first formal confirmation that clinics at 15 of the 18 venues across Surrey would be closing, Claire Malcomson has received a private communication from CNWL - the new service provider. Implicitly acknowledging the likely impact of the closure of clinics, CNWL states

At last, only days before the deadline of April 1st, it has been officially confirmed that 15 sexual health clinics across Surrey are closing this week. The information is not given in the main announcement on the Healthy Surrey web-site. Instead you have to look in the document of more detailed information provided by the new service providers CNWL. This includes the list of 15 clinics where services are being withdrawn from31st March. The confusion about the status of these clinics is illustrated by the fact that late last week we were assured by a Conservative County Councillor that the clinic is his area was staying open. If even County Councillors were not briefed properly, how can patients be expected to know what's happening.

On Monday 20th March, Surrey County Council announced the last minute postponement of key parts of its controversial decision to change the provision of sexual health clinics throughout the county. These clinics provide advice and services around sexually-transmitted infections, genito-urinary medicine and contraception. The changes are planned to take effect from 1^st April.