Torridge and West Devon Liberal Democrats

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The Region needs a fairer allocation of national funds

Adam Symons (PPC) speaks out for Torridge and West Devon

Monday 19 November 2007

“Make the ‘playing field level’, and we have the resources and skills to be great!” That is the message that Adam Symons, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Torridge and West Devon, sent to the Government this weekend.

Speaking at the Lib Dems Regional Conference in Plymouth, Adam Symons, the newly elected Prospective Parliamentary Candidate from Torridge and West Devon, supported a motion from his constituency that the South West must play ‘a significant part in a greener, fairer and freer Britain.’

The motion, which was passed by an overwhelming majority, called on the Government to give the region a fairer allocation of national funds to take account of sparse rural communities, to free people up to make more decisions about their local areas, and to help make us greener by harnessing our renewable energy options.

In his speech, Adam lamented the fact that people felt disconnected from decision making, but was not surprised given ‘a voting and patronage system which disenfranchises voters and destroys the integrity of the political process.’

He stated that unfairness in taxation was taking money out of the region as ‘Council Tax is crippling households in an area which had the lowest household earnings in 2005. Similarly the cutting of the income tax base rate does little to raise take home pay where the average wage is less than £14,000.’

However, optimistically Adam identified that ‘We have a wonderful opportunity to utilise our environmental riches in this region, to add value to our food and drink products, to provide a truly memorable and sustainable tourism experience, and to provide a focal point for raising aspiration amongst our young people.’