Marguerite Shapland, a veteran Lib Dem campaigner in Braunton, has won an overwhelming victory in yesterdays by-election for the Parish Council there.

The Lib Dems polled 386 votes, more than double the Labour vote and over four times the Green vote – winning 61% of the vote.

North Devon District Councillors, Caroline Leaver and Joy Cann, are to call for continued support from North Devon district (NDC) for the North Devon Citizens Advice Bureau, CAB at the Full Meeting of NDC on November 21^st.

Their motion, below, highlights the difficulties people in N Devon are experiencing with the roll out of Universal Credit.

“In the light of the recent report from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for North Devon into its work over the last six months, this Council re-affirms its support for the CAB and commits to on-going financial support for its work with the most vulnerable in North Devon’s communities, and in particular during the early years of the introduction of Universal Credit in North Devon.”

Kirsten Johnson, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Devon has continued her tour of schools in N Devon, as part of her campaign to end school cuts.

Kirsten says,

“The energy, commitment and dedication of the staff and pupils at Ilfracombe Academy were truly impressive. They are also enjoying the benefits of new buildings and facilities provided by the Coalition administration. Sadly, they are being undermined by the savage cuts to school budgets being administered by this Conservative Government and Conservative Devon County Council. Unlike the current Conservative MP for North Devon, when elected I will do everything in my power to put an end to these short sighted and damaging cuts”

Councillor David Worden, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on NDC, seconded by Cllr Ian Roome, are calling on North Devon District Council (NDC) to intervene and call on Government to help secure a future for both Appledore Shipyard and RAF Chivenor. The motion, below, will go before full Council on November 21^st.

“This council regards the decision to close Appledore Ship Yard as a hammer blow to the economy of Northern Devon and calls on the Government and Babcock’s to investigate ways to see if this decision can be changed.  Furthermore this council requests that the Government reverses its decision to close RMB Chivenor and instead looks to enhance its capacity by bringing 45 Commando from Scotland and 40 Commando from Norton Manor, Taunton to North Devon.  The closure of both Appledore Ship Yard and RMB Chivenor would have a devastating impact on businesses, schools and public services and this council calls on the Government to face up to their responsibilities toward areas like North Devon where wages are already low and many residents are struggling financially.” 

Kirsten Johnson, the first woman to be selected by the Liberal Democrats to represent North Devon in Westminster, visited St. Sabinus’ Church in Woolacombe as part of Remembrance Week. She spent time talking with many of the flower arrangers and to one of the organisers of the Flower Festival, Mary Lethbridge.

She particularly enjoyed the flowers, “God Speed the Plough” which had been designed to honour the memory of the Women’s Land Army and their vital war work in North Devon.

A Liberal Democrat Alternative by Kirsten Johnson, Lib Dem PPC for North Devon

Across the South West, people are worried as the services they rely on suffer cut after cut, while the Conservatives are infighting over delivering a Brexit which will make the country poorer.

The wealth gap between the richest and the poorest is larger than ever. Vital public services, schools, hospitals and police stations are buckling under the strain of being underfunded and understaffed, while large corporations are making huge profits and not paying their fair share of tax.

During my recent visits to schools across North Devon, Heads tell me that school funding and support is at a 28-year low.

The current Conservative MP for North Devon pledged to oppose these cuts and asked people NOT to vote for him if he did not do so. By voting for this Conservative Budget he has, once again, broken his promise to the parents and children of North Devon.

Kirsten Johnson, North Devon Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, visited Chulmleigh Community College and spent some time discussing the funding issues faced by rural schools. Mike Johnson, Headmaster said "We were delighted to welcome Kirsten Johnson, to the College. We explained the difficult funding situation for all rural schools, but particularly here in North Devon where we receive £300 less per pupil. Whilst we are pleased with the funding for the new school buildings, received from the last Coalition administration, we are now very concerned that the government seems to believe that it is possible to run schools on a shoestring."

Kirsten Johnson, Prospective Lib Dem MP for North Devon was pleased to attend the National Farmers Union Harvest Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, October 14^th at Grosvenor Church, Barnstaple. Kirsten was invited by Barnstaple NFU Chairman, Mr David Chugg.

The service was attended by over 300 local farmers and their families. The sermon was given by Rev Tim Sutton who spoke of the spiritual harvest that should be sown and reaped in the same way farmers sow and reap their crops.

Kirsten Johnson, the first woman to have been selected to stand for Parliament in N Devon is to hold her first Westminster surgery at the Councillors’ Surgery on Saturday, 13^th October. She will be at The Amory Centre in South Molton from 10 – 11am. No appointment is required.

She will hold her second surgery at Lineal, on The Strand in Barnstaple on Friday, October 19^th from 2.00pm until 4.00pm. Again, no appointment is required. Both venues are disabled friendly.

Dr. Kirsten Johnson, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Devon, speaks to the North Devon Gazette about the need for more mental health support from employers.

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