Lib Dem credits

I would like to thank all Liberal Democrat activists who have supported my campaign across this vast and scenically wonderful constituency.

I would like to thank my fellow candidates for a fair contest and healthy debate at hustings. It was particularly good to see the engagement of young people at school events. I wish Julian Smith well for his future term.

I would like to thank the election office staff at Craven District Council for their hard work in organising local and general elections on one day. Also all those who worked on polling stations and at the count.

As I have said at local hustings it was not easy being the junior partner in a coalition. Now nationally, the Liberal Democrats have been hit hard at this election. The party has lost many longstanding MPs who have worked for their communities, some for decades.

Nevertheless, the Liberal Democrats, whilst in Government, introduced Liberal Democrat policies that have made a difference including the increase in the lower income tax threshold, a triple lock guarantee on pensions, shared parental leave and equal marriage.

Personally, I have been involved in policy developments within the party which, again, have made a difference as, being in Government, they could be put into practice. They include the pupil premium, plastic bag tax and ending the detention of children for immigration purposes.

There were many policies that we wished to introduce in a second term in Government, including Votes at 16, our five Green Laws and a Digital Bill of Rights. We remain committed to Britain being in Europe.

Although the Liberal Democrats have been hit hard across the UK, our membership has grown by several thousand since election day, including a number in Skipton and Ripon. Locally, with re-elected Skipton councillor Eric Jacquin, and nationally, the work of the Liberal Democrats continues to make Britain a fairer society with opportunities for all.

JACQUIE BELL

Skipton and Ripon Liberal Democrats.