Torridge and West Devon Liberal Democrats

You are very welcome to complete the form without giving us any personal details, but in order that we get a true picture of local views we need to ensure that each reply comes from a different person, and someone who lives locally.

Your votes

Your views will still be taken into account if you don’t complete this section. Of course like all political parties we can’t do very much without actually getting elected, so it would help us to know why you made the choice you did last time, whatever it was. We are particularly interested in the reasons why many people, particularly younger people, did not vote at recent elections.

5.  Are there any specific issues which strongly influenced the way you voted?

Your views

For each item below, please choose the statement that best describes your views. In each case if you feel that there is no statement that approximates to your views, choose option E and if you wish give a brief note in the comment box.  You are also able to give further comments about anything we have not covered in the further comments box at the end. Of course many of the issues listed are complex; again we will carefully examine your comments if you feel the choice of responses is too limited.

1.  Transport:

1. Our transport infrastructure has fallen far behind comparable countries; we should  invest in public transport and discourage the use of roads.
2. We should invest in public transport but recognize that there are some people for whom the car is the only viable option. Car use should probably be cut but mainly where there is most congestion.
3. We should invest in public transport and in the building of additional roads.
4. Public transport isn't worth investing in; we should build more roads and cut petrol prices. 

2.  Law and Order:

1. We need more police officers in the community helping not only to detect crime but to prevent it being committed in the first place.
2. I'm concerned mainly about miscarriages of justice. More needs to be done to protect the rights of defendants.
3. We need to change our legal system to emphasize the rights of the victim against the rights of the accused, and clamp down on frivolous use of the courts.
4. Current levels of policing and spending are about right.

3.  Health:

1. Further resources are required to improve the NHS. I would be prepared to pay more in general taxation in order to cut waiting times, improve facilities and employ more staff.
2. I would like to see greater use of private healthcare for those who can afford it, with the NHS as a safety net for those who cannot pay for their own care.
3. It's time the NHS was abandoned and its functions taken over entirely by the private sector.
4. I think the NHS is fine as it is.

4.  The Euro:

1. I support the introduction of the euro within the UK as soon as is possible.
2. I could support the introduction of the euro, but the time is not yet right.
3. I am sceptical of the euro, but could be persuaded at some point in the future.
4. I oppose the introduction of the euro on principle.

5.  Education:

1. We need more and better-paid teachers, and more money to be spent on buildings and equipment.
2. Standards of education would be improved if teachers had to spend less of their time trying to maintain discipline. The fault lies with society in general and lax parents in general.
3. We need more private schools, the state should provide funds for children to leave the state system if their parents so wish..
4. Concerns over education are exaggerated, especially since it has always been the case that most people don't use much of their education in their working lives. The truth it is doesn't matter that much.

6.  Housing:

1. If new houses are to be built, they should be built on existing brownfield sites rather than encroaching onto our green spaces.
2. I believe that the planning process is too much in favour of developers, and often borders on corruption.
3. I'm concerned that my children will not be able to afford to live in the area they grew up, we need more affordable housing.
4. There is clearly a need to build more houses, but the market will take care of it.

7.  Taxation and Public Spending:

1. I would like to see tax cuts and cuts in public spending.
2. I think taxes and public services are about right as they are.
3. I would like to see better public services funded mainly by additional public borrowing.
4. I would like to see better public services funded mainly by rises in general taxation.

8.  Environmental issues:

1. I'm very concerned about the fate of the environment, for me it is the number one issue facing our society today.
2. I am concerned about the environment and would be prepared to pay a price in terms of economic growth for its sustained protection.
3. I am moderately concerned about it but would not wish to pay to protect it.
4. I think fears about the environment are exaggerated. I am not concerned.

9.  Pensions and pensioners:

1. State pensions should be indexed not to inflation but to wages, so that pensioners do not fall behind the rest of society.
2. Elderly people should receive free care when they are no longer able to look after themselves. They should not have to sell assets, in particular their homes.
3. It is up to individuals to make sure they are properly protected in their retirement, not the state.
4. I think the retirement age will have to rise into the seventies as the population ages over the next few decades; we simply cannot have a large sector of society which is no longer contributing to national wealth.

Any Further comments?

Over time these questions will change as the issues of the day change. Please keep coming back to give us your views so that we can remain in touch with the people we represent.