LIBERAL Democrats from West Devon and Torridge came to the fore at the party's spring conference in Harrogate last weekend when they won a ballot in which delegates voted to debate an emergency motion on Iran. The motion, proposed to the party by former parliamentary candidate Chris Layton from Horrabridge, highlighted the 'dismay and concern felt by many South West Lib Dems at growing indications that the US is considering military action against Iran'. It called on the Government to make clear that the UK will not support such action and to work towards a diplomatic solution. Lib Dem Shadow Foreign Affairs spokesman Mark Hunter proposed the motion, and Lord Garden, Lib Dem defence spokesman in the Lords and a former assistant chief of the defence staff, spoke in favour. West Devon Lib Dem councillor Jane Waterhouse spoke on the threat to the cultural heritage of the region and East Devon Lib Dem group leader, Trevor Cope spoke of how South West troops would be involved in yet another 'pointless war'. Former West Devon and Torridge parliamentary candidate David Walter summed up. Speaking before the debate he said: 'After the disastrous foray in Iraq it is surely inconceivable that this country should support more adventuring by the United States in the Middle East. 'Such action would cause immense suffering and hardship to innocent people and further destabilise the already delicate situation in the area.' The conference voted unanimously in favour of the motion, a result highlighted by the party leader Menzies Campbell in his keynote address later that day.
