A series of free to attend, direct engagement events taking place across the East of England designed to hear what you, our members, have to say.

Each event will be opened via live stream on a giant screen by an independent political commentator. Adam Boulton (until recently Editor at large for Sky News) will open the first roadshow on Thursday 17 February in Bury St Edmunds.

Reacting to the news that Cllr John Lodge is unexpectedly resigning as Leader of Uttlesford District Council Cllr Melvin Caton (pictured), the leader of Liberal Democrat group on the council said " We welcome the news that John Lodge is stepping down as Leader. He has overpromised and under-delivered for the residents of Uttlesford."

The Liberal Democrat councillors on Uttlesford District Council have asked that the council should volunteer to house some refugees from Afghanistan, as part of the new Afghanistan citizens' settlement scheme announced by the Government today.

Cllr Melvin Caton, the leader of Liberal Democrats on the council said "Uttlesford has welcomed a number of Syrian families to the district in recent years following the civil war in that country. We should do the same for refugees that are fleeing their homes or face threats of persecution from the Taliban in Afghanistan."

All members of Liberal Democrat group on Uttlesford are part of a cross party group of thirteen councillors that have called for a vote of no confidence in the Leader and Cabinet of the Council led by the Residents of Uttlesford Party. Conservative, Green and Independent councillors form the rest of the signatories.

Uttlesford Liberal Democrats have said that the decisions of the Planning Inspectors allowing expansion at Stansted Airport to 43 million passengers per annum and the award of costs against Uttlesford District Council will result in an "environmental and financial disaster" for residents in the Uttlesford district.

Locally in Uttlesford we face a consistent line of attack from Residents for Uttlesford and from independent councillors against 'Westminster parties'.

We are saddened that this has culminated in a post on the R4U facebook page in which Dan Starr (in an interview with The London Economic) seems to attribute the cause of the death of an MP, presumably Jo Cox, to Westminster party activists. (link to article here)

This May 6th, Liberal Democrats will be standing candidates in Essex County Council elections as well as in two by-elections for Uttlesford District Council.

Introducing your Essex County Council Candidates

Our local communities need a strong local voice at Essex County Council. Having neglected town and rural services for years, the Conservatives are now intent on cutting a further £46 million from the budget.Our stretched local public services, like the libraries, mental health and youth services are going to be under threat again. Liberal Democrats are the main opposition to Conservatives at Essex County Council. We are best placed to work Essex-wide to make real progress: