WEST Devon and Torridge Liberal Democrats held their annual dinner recently at Okehampton Rugby Club with the party?s deputy leader in the House of Lords, Lord McNally, as guest speaker.
Lord McNally reminded the guests he had come to campaign for John Burnett in the run-up to the 1997 general election, when he was first elected, and particularly remembered meeting local farmers.
He said he was pleased to see how closely Mr Burnett as the retiring MP was working with David Walter, the prospective parliamentary candidate for West Devon and Torridge Liberal Democrats.
Mr Walter said he felt the party?s plan to abolish the council tax was particularly popular in the constituency and that local people were sympathetic to the Liberal Democrats? opposition to the war in Iraq.
He said they also echoed the party?s belief that there was too much interference from Whitehall in schools, hospitals and the police.
Another issue of concern was the number of care homes in West Devon and Torridge which were considering closure because of fee levels and red tape.
Mr Walter said care homes must meet proper standards but the system of inspection and regulation could be greatly simplified without any risk.
The Liberal Democrats are pressing for the introduction of free personal care for all who need it, whether at home or in care homes, as recommended in the Sutherland Report.