Thanks to everybody who voted Liberal Democrat in the General Election. While we came second, we were heartened by the response in Tunbridge Wells. We hope that we will continue to be able to ensure that liberal voices are heard in Tunbridge Wells and beyond.

A big thank you to our candidate, Ben Chapelard, who took unpaid leave from his work as an Assistant Headteacher to work as our parliamentary candidate. He received a positive welcome on many doorsteps and in schools, charities, businesses Tu and community groups throughout the consistituency.

Have a very happy Channukah, Festivus, Christmas, Kawanzaa and New Year (or whatever else you would like to celebrate)!

Tunbridge Wells Lib Dems welcome Unite to Remain agreement

Local Lib Dems have welcomed the decision of the Green Party to stand aside at this election.

Local Lib Dem candidate Ben Chapelard said “We thank the Green Party for this brave decision. Brexit is a national crisis. This groundbreaking agreement, facilitated by the Unite to Remain campaign group, will help to secure more Remain supporting MPs in the next Parliament. We also thank all the candidates who have generously agreed to stand aside in other seats affected by the Unite to Remain arrangements.”

“It is deeply disappointing that Labour Remainers would not step up too, but they failed the test on backing a People’s Vote and they failed the test to build a new Remain Parliament. They are still the Brexit party.”

“The people of Tunbridge Wells deserve a strong voice in Parliament, to stop Brexit and fight for a brighter future for Britain. The Liberal Democrats are the only Party who can deliver that brighter future for our area at this election.”

Jo Swinson has today launched the Liberal Democrats’ Plan for a Brighter Future. Jo will start her nationwide tour today and details of the plan will be delivered to millions of people across the UK by mail and online. 

The plan outlines the party’s key priority – to Stop Brexit – and sets out a bold vision on how to build a fairer, brighter future for the country. It is a plan to tackle inequalities, confront the climate emergency and give everyone the opportunities they need to succeed.  

The old politics has failed. For too many people, working hard and playing by the rules is not enough to guarantee a happy, fulfilling and secure life for them and their children.  

A Liberal Democrat government will create a shared vision for the country we want to be, where every single person and community is valued, empowered and cared for, and where we protect our planet for future generations.   

A Liberal Democrat government will revoke Article 50 on day one, work to keep our family of nations together and build a brighter future.  

The Liberal Democrat Plan for a Brighter Future  

  1.     Stop Brexit and invest the £50 billion Remain Bonus in public services and tackling inequality.  

2.     Tackle the climate emergency by generating 80% of our electricity from renewables by 2030 and insulating all low-income homes by 2025.  

3.     Give every child the best start in life by recruiting 20,000 more teachers as part of an extra £10 billion a year for schools.  

4.     Build a fairer economy by providing free childcare from 9 months and giving every adult £10,000 to spend on skills and training throughout their lives.  

5.     Transform our mental health services by treating mental health with the same urgency as physical health.  

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson said:   

“Today I am proud to set out the Liberal Democrats’ bold and ambitious plan to build a brighter future.   

“Too many people – people who work hard and play by the rules – are struggling just to get by. Our country is crying out for a new kind of leadership and the Liberal Democrats are rising to this challenge.  

“Our plan to build a brighter future starts with stopping Brexit, generating a £50 billion Remain Bonus that will benefit every part of the United Kingdom, but it doesn’t stop there.  

“It is a plan to transform the mental health services that are so integral to our wellbeing. It is a plan to give every child the best start in life, providing the resources to recruit thousands more teachers and funding free childcare from nine months. It is a plan that will tackle the climate emergency, to make sure the planet we live on is protected for future generations.   

“This is a plan to stop Brexit and build a brighter future. As leader of the Liberal Democrats, I am thrilled to be sharing our vision with people living and working right across our family of nations.”