TWO political 'big guns' have visited the Tavistock area during the last week, in support of their respective parliamentary candidates who are competing for the West Devon and Torridge seat in the forthcoming general election.

Paddy Ashdown, leader of the Liberal Democrats between 1989-99, was in Tavistock last Tuesday week to voice his support for his party's local candidate, Adam Symons. while Conservative David Davis, the former Shadow Home Secretary, was in West Devon on Monday to give his backing to sitting MP Geoffrey Cox.

Lord Ashdown, a former Royal Marines officer, MP for Yeovil, and more recently the United Nations High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressed local party faithful and members of the public at a rally in Bedford Square.

Before the rally, Mr Ashdown, told the Times: 'This is a very important seat and it's a pleasure to visit Tavistock. We had our first home as a family here in Horrabridge and the first home we owned was a cottage in Milton Combe.'

Lord Ashdown called for a 'Fresh Start for West Devon and Torridge' and claimed that only the Liberal Democrats will give the West Country the fair deal it deserves.

'Our team of West Country MPs and candidates, like Adam Symons, have a strong record of action in delivering change that has already made a difference.

'The West Country cannot afford another Tory Government, we're still paying for the last one.'

Lord Ashdown told those gathered on the square: 'The Tories say they are going to empower the people if they get in, but we have the power to question about what exactly they intend to do, such as over the economy and taxation.

'This is all about the Tories giving power to themselves and not about them giving power to others.

'Mr Cameron says the Tories are the party of change, but I judge people on more about what they do than what they say. It is the same Tories who want to spend £30million for a local government office in Torbay while cutting local services.'

Lib Dem Prospective MP Adam Symons said: 'It's time for a fresh start. People are fed up with a system where your vote doesn't count, and where ordinary people feel powerless. We want to make the system fairer, invest in local communities and give power back to local people over decisions which affect them.

'It's great to have Paddy here as he has so much experience of working with communities all over the world to help them make a difference.'

Standing MP Geoffrey Cox was out canvassing with David Davis in Yelverton, Buckland Monachorum, Mary Tavy, Horrabridge and Bere Alston on Monday.

Mr Cox said: 'David and I are good friends in the House and he kindly offered to come and support me.

'We are hearing from more and more people in West Devon that they are anxious for change.

'People say they do not want the same again for the next few years. The danger is that if we do not get a clear Conservative mandate, it will mean a Brown government in some form, propped by the Liberal Democrats.

'In this economic financial crisis, one of the worst in the country's history we cannot afford for a murky yellow Lib Dem/Brownish coalition to muddy up the waters.'

Mr Davis, who was runner up to David Cameron in the last Conservative Party leadership contest, said: 'Geoffrey is a formidable Parliamentarian who we would firmly like to see in the next Tory Government.

'The good thing about the recent leaders' televised debate is that since Nick Clegg (the Liberal Democrats leader) did well people are paying more attention to what the Lib Dems actually stand for.

'It's not just about where they stand over a nuclear deterrent or the big holes in their taxation policy — when we tell people we canvass about their intentions, they are not quite so supportive of the Lib Dems.'

Mr Cox said he intended to canvass other parts of the region this week.

The other candidates for the West Devon and Torridge seat are Darren Jones (Labour), Robin Julian (UKIP), Cathrine Simmons (Green) and Nick Baker (BNP).