Sir Vince Cable MP: Local elections 'could be a watershed moment'
4 min read
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable sets out why local elections next week offer an opportunity to send a message to Theresa May on Brexit; why his party has already contacted 300,000 UK based EU Citizens and helped more than 6,000 people register to vote.
The local elections on 3rd May could be a watershed moment.
With the UK Government fumbling through Brexit negotiations, this set of elections provides voters with a real opportunity. A real opportunity to send a message to Theresa May on Brexit.
A vote for the Liberal Democrat’s on 3rd May, offers you an ‘Exit from Brexit’, the only party putting this offer on the table so we can get on with the solving the real challenges facing the UK, like the NHS, housing or violent crime.
A vote for anyone else, not least a Conservative and Labour Party who have been walking through this Brexit process side by side through the voting lobbies, will simply hand Theresa May a free pass to drag the UK through a hard Brexit.
For EU nationals - limited to voting in local elections - this election is your spotlight moment to make your voice heard, your only chance to have your say on Brexit, and your future in the UK.
That is why we are reaching out to EU citizens in one of our biggest local election campaigns ever. We’ve already reached more than 300,000 EU Citizens on average twice and helped more than 6,000 people register to vote – and we’re ramping up our campaign over the rest of the month.
When the stakes are this high and when our party, the Liberal Democrats are the only party fighting to stay in the EU, electing more liberal voices is more important than ever before.
Now more than ever, the UK needs these liberal voices to protect the future of our country and our future place in Europe and the world going forward and we need these liberal voices to protect frontline services and to ensure people get the best value for their council tax money.
Because it isn’t just national issues that are on the ballot paper.
Across local authorities, big decisions from housing to social care and education must be made. In casting a vote on 3rd May, voters are deciding who is best placed to make those decisions. And the choice is clear. Right across the country voters have the choice between Liberal Democrat councillors with a strong record of listening, working hard and getting things done or financially incompetent and uncaring Conservative councils or out of touch and wasteful Labour councils.
People deserve better. With the Liberal Democrats, they can have better.
Just look at our record in local government. In Three Rivers, Liberal Democrats have supported the provision of a mix of affordable social rented properties and shared ownership for those on the housing waiting list, while in Sutton we are leading the fight against a real terms cut in funding for local schools.
Meanwhile in Watford, Liberal Democrats have turned the council around. Prior to taking office, an external inspection described Labour-run Watford as one of the ‘worst run councils in the country’. Under Liberal Democrats, it is one of the best. That is because of hard working Liberal Democrats tackling rough sleeping, building homes and encouraging business and regeneration into the area.
We are winning council by-elections at a higher rate than all other parties, up and down the country. Our vote is up more than any other party and we have a strong record of action to build on.
So on 3rd May, back the Liberal Democrats. Back us and return strong liberal voices that will protect your local services in your area. Back the Liberal Democrats and make clear to the government that what is best for Britain today is an Exit from Brexit.
Sir Vince Cable is the Liberal Democrat leader and the MP for Twickenham
*This article is part of a series of articles ahead of the 2018 Local elections. Get in touch to find out about our Local Government Information Products and Services.*
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
