East of England Liberal Democrats launch a series of podcasts about the wider party to engage members during the covid-19 crisis

During the Covid-19 crisis, East of England Liberal Democrats are working to provide more information about the Liberal Democrats and how we work to our members and supporters. Presented by Regional Policy Chair Callum Robertson, the new series features a number of discussions, interviews and round tables with Council Leaders, MPs and other party figures.

I know many of us are already helping others and volunteering in various ways - but I want to pass on an appeal we've had from the Uttlesford Food Bank. The need for the Foodbank has doubled overnight and they urgently need to replenish their supplies! They're going through food so fast it's unbeleivable and are now having to scale back the size of food parcels. If you go to their website at https://uttlesford.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/virtual-food-basket/ you can donate a virtual food basket in small, medium or family sizes. You can also make an online donation - cash is always welcome because they can use it to fill any gaps in their stock.

The Saffron Walden Neighbourhood Plan has been put together by a large team of Town Councillors and community volunteers, with additional research and writing-up by the Town Council and support from Uttlesford District Council. Go to https://www.waldenplan.org/ and you can comment on what the Neighbourhood Plan has to say about the ways Saffron Walden could grow, improve and thrive over the next ten to fifteen years - and on some of the problems faced by the community.

In November 2018 Uttlesford's planning committee under the Conservative administration met to consider Stansted Airport's application to increase their annual passenger numbers from 35 to 43 million.

The meeting was a disgrace. It was conducted in a way that left the public believing that the decision to approve was rigged. A majority of the committee sat in silence or near silence throughout the meeting; they failed totally to justify their vote for approval.

At 5.30 pm on Polling Day I knocked on a door. The young woman who answered told me she wasn't voting Liberal Democrat. I asked who she was voting for and she said, 'either Labour or Conservative - I haven't made my mind up.' It seems strange to dither between two parties with such opposing views without even considering an alternative - but for most of my life people have seen the choice as between the two main parties, and the media have consistently reinforced the two-party system. But how permanent is it?

...and the results are in for the Saffron Walden Constituency

Kemi Badenough (Con) 39,714 (63.14%)

Mike Hibbs (Lib Dem) 12,120 (19.21%)

Tom van de Bilt (Lab) 8,305 (13.16%)

Coby Wing (Green) 2,947 (4.67%

Thank you to every single one of the 12,120 voters who voted for Mike - we really do appreciate your support. And a big thank you to everyone who delivered leaflets and letters, put up posters, knocked on doors and campaigned at street stalls around the constituency. We're please to be in second place, with one in five people voting for Mike. The turnout was nearly 73% - which is quite high.

If Boris Johnson's Conservatives win on Thursday, we will all lose. His destructive Brexit plan will damage our country and must be stopped. This Thursday is your chance to stop Brexit.

The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party of Remain. We want to stop Brexit and build a brighter future for people and our planet. Every vote for the Lib Dems is a clear vote for Remain.

For too many people, things aren't working as they should be. The Liberal Democrats have an ambitious plan for the future of our country, where every person, every community and our planet can thrive. This is our plan for a brighter future:

Are you a Postal Voter? Have you received your Postal Voting Pack from the District Council? Tuesday 10th December is really your last posting date to be absolutely sure it gets there in time. But don't despair - if you've missed the post you can deliver it by hand before 10:00 pm on Thursday 12th December to The Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4ER; or on Polling Day (Thursday 12th) you can take it to any Polling Station in the Saffron Walden Constituency (for details go to https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/polling-station-map). If you can't take it yourself, ask someone you know and trust to take it for you, but avoid getting a candidate or a party worker to hand your vote in. If you have a postal vote, you can't vote in person on polling day. You can take your Postal Voting Pack to your polling station on polling day if you want to though. If you haven't received your Postal Voting Pack yet, please contact Electoral Services at Uttlesford District Council on 01799 510431 / 510432 / 510434 or elections@uttlesford.gov.uk. If your Postal Voting Pack is lost they may be able to issue a replacement if you go in person with suitable identification (passport, photo driving licence, utility bill etc) to the Council Offices in Saffron Walden before 5:00 pm on Polling Day (Thursday 12th December).