“This Conservative government has slashed funding on defence, cut our Royal Marines and left our troops on the front line without basic equipment.

"Billions has been spent on big ticket items that we may not even have enough troops to use. 

"Of course adequate spending on defence is welcome and necessary, but this is a piece of last-minute chicanery to cover up the Conservative's dismal record. 

"No wonder Britain's top generals have accused the Tories of trying to deceive the public over defence cuts.

"It shows why Britain needs a strong opposition to hold the Conservatives to account."

Saturday, May 6th saw the launch of the Liberal Democrats campaign to win back the Yeovil Constituency from the Conservatives.

Speaking to a large crowd at East Coker Village Hall, Campaigner Jo Roundell Greene said”

“I fully support an extra penny on income tax to pay for our crumbling NHS, we must support it, we must fight for it. 

Liberal Democrats in South Somerset are pleased to have returned six Councillors to Somerset County Council following yesterday’s local elections. We have more than held our own against a low turnout, this is a very good basis upon which to build a General Election campaign. The hard work of our candidates has led to us winning both UKIP held seats - leaving them with no seats in our area. 

At a meeting of Yeovil Liberal Democrat Members held on Wednesday 3rd May at Yeovil Town Football Club, the party selected Cllr Jo Roundell Greene as its Parliamentary Spokesperson. 

Statement from Daisy Benson on her withdrawal as Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Yeovil

With regret I've decided not to put myself forward to stand for the Liberal Democrats in Yeovil in the upcoming snap General Election. 

Although I've been preparing for the past year, this election unfortunately comes at precisely the wrong time for me. I'm just in the process of completing purchasing a house within the constituency. 

It would be unfair to constituents and the local party not to be able to devote 100% of my time to campaigning in this election but plan to play as a full part as I can in the coming weeks to ensure Yeovil returns a Liberal Democrat MP.

The Somerset branch of Women Against State Pension Inequality are celebrating progress in their campaign after attending a national WASPI demonstration on Wednesday during the Budget and meeting with Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron.

Rose Lee South Somerset Co-ordinator and her fellow Somerset protestors joined by thousands of other affected women marching from around the country.

Rose Lee:

'It was a brilliant day going to Parliament to be part of a national protest and make our voices heard.

Paddy joined us on the demo and it was great to meet Tim who listened to our concerns.'

Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for Yeovil Daisy Benson held her first Advice Centre on Saturday at the Liberal Democrats Office in Yeovil supported by Baroness, Cllr Cathy Bakewell.

Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Daisy Benson is this week launching Advice Centres to assist local people. 

Jane Lock, Leader of the Liberal Democrat County Group said

“Today (Wednesday 15 February) is a low point for democracy in Somerset. The Conservatives have presented a budget, which although is claiming to cut services by £18.3 million, gives no detail at all of any the cuts to vital services. We have a duty to the council tax payer and it is very hard indeed to see if this is a balanced budget.”

“The Tories have put up Council Tax again, but we will all have to wait to find out about cuts to the services. It is claimed that this budget is more strategic, but what it does not do is give any visibility on what Somerset council tax payers will get or not get for their money. Details will emerge during the County Council election campaign.”

“The Tory cabinet has overspent by £13.5 million so far this year. They have had to raid reserves again. They are financially incompetent and the people of Somerset cannot afford them any longer.”

So now at last we know what Mrs May has decided shall be our future in Europe - or rather out of it. What she calls for is a fundamental break with our neighbours, our culture and our past of the kind which was never discussed during the referendum campaign.

Remember, when, time and again, the Brexiteers were asked what kind of Brexit they wanted? Time and again they couldn't - or more accurately, wouldn't - answer. Or, if they did, gave answers which were completely contradictory. Some said they wanted to stay in the Single Market; others demanded out; some proposed managed immigration; others insisted on none; some suggested a new trading relationship with the EU; others wanted to cut loose completely.