The planning application for the new West Dorset District Council Offices has finally been lodged with the Council. The next step is for the Council to decide whether to grant itself planning consent for its new offices. Yes, really!

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After a hard fought campaign Dr Sue Farrant sadly lost out in the battle for the West Dorset seat at the General Election on Thursday. But despite the final result, Sue did increase the Liberal Democrat vote since the last election by 1,062.

The result was as follows:

Sue would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the campaign for their hard work and the superb support they have given her throughout.

Sue said: “Very many people have been kind enough to contact me with messages of support since Thursday night and I really appreciate that kindness. Losing an election is not a pleasant experience but knowing that I have your backing makes all the difference.”

There are always a number of people who do not get to vote on polling day itself. So, to make it easier we would like to suggest to as many people as possible to register for a postal vote.

If you would like more information on how to apply, please phone us at the office on 01935 815947.

Alternatively, go to aboutmyvote.co.uk to register online.

Shirley Williams joins Sue Farrant to visit local shops in Sherborne

Dr Sue Farrant, parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats in West Dorset, was joined by Shirley Williams, revered politician and founder of the SDP, on the election campaign trail in Sherborne yesterday.

Meeting at ‘The Conduit’ in Cheap Street, and joined by a throng of Liberal Democrat activists, they embarked on a ‘meet and greet’ through the town centre, stopping to speak to local residents and dropping in to shops to chat with owners and customers.

Party workers were then invited back to Sue Farrant’s house for tea and Baroness Williams gave a speech on Liberal Democrat values and her views on this intriguing election campaign.

By way of an introduction, Sue Farrant said: “It is a great honour for me to have Shirley Williams here to lend her support to my campaign. She is one of my heroines and a wonderful role model. It gives us great encouragement in the last stage of the campaign.”

Shirley Williams said: “This election is tremendously exciting. It is much bigger for us now than at any other time. I’ve seen the mould cracking. The people of Great Britain are fed up with the voting system. I was on Channel Four last night and when the audience was asked if they wanted real change at this election, nine tenths were in favour. The debates have presented the Liberal Democrats to the British people as a party of real change.”

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Shirley Williams, Baroness Williams of Crosby and former Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, will be visiting Sherborne tomorrow to support Dr Sue Farrant in her election campaign.

They will be walking up Cheap Street between 3.30-4.30pm starting at the Conduit.  All are welcome.

Dr Sue Farrant joins in the fun at Beaminster's world record attempt.

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, attended Beaminster School yesterday to see the students break the World Hula Hoop Record.

The students gyrated their way into the record books with a new total of 363 people, breaking the previous record by 21.

After trying a quick practice swirl, Sue Farrant decided to cheer on the students from the sidelines. She said: “It’s great to see so many pupils having such fun. And so many teachers too! I know the children have been practising for months and truly deserve to be world beaters! Well done to everyone who took part.”

Approximately 740 people – pupils, teachers and parents all joining in the fun – took part in the event. The attempt lasted two minutes and anyone whose hoop fell to the ground was eliminated. Those still going as the hooter sounded were counted and verified.

Sue Farrant and West Dorset candidates sign the Power2010 pledge

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, attended the “Blow-Up Politics” event in Dorchester yesterday for Power 2010, a campaign to clean up politics and reform the country’s voting system.

The relaxed ‘living-room’ style setting in South Street, complete with pink inflatable sofas, attracted a large crowd of voters, who were then able to quiz all of the constituency candidates on their policies.

Sue Farrant said: “This was an informal, fun event, but with a serious message to fix our broken politics. I was delighted that so many people were able to come along and given the chance to discuss their issues with the candidates face to face. The Power 2010 campaign is something I have supported for a long time and I was happy to sign the pledge.”

Power2010 aims to put people in the driving seat of politics, and is billed as the UK’s largest ever campaign for democratic reform. The 100,000 votes cast have created the 5-point Power Pledge, which will be taken to MPs across the country in the lead up to May 6th. The Pledge includes a switch to proportional representation, the establishment of a written constitution and abandoning the government’s ID cards scheme.

More information can be found at www.power2010.org.uk

The people of Dorchester made their feelings clear last night over West Dorset District Council’s £15 million scheme to build itself new headquarters on the Charles Street site.

The verdict of the Town Poll was resoundingly in favour of the plan being scrapped. The result was as follows:

‘For’ new offices: 156

‘Against’ new offices: 2046

Stella Jones, Leader of the West Dorset District Council Liberal Democrats, said: “The people of Dorchester have spoken clearly. They are completely opposed to what the district council are proposing to do on which they refuse to consult. We congratulate everyone who organised this historic first ever town poll and look forward to an early response from West Dorset District Council as to what they are now going to do. Clearly they should abandon the project.”

Residents of Dorchester demanded a Town Poll after a public meeting was arranged by Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, in Dorchester on March 24. It gave the public the opportunity to have their say and ask questions.

A second meeting was held on April 19 in Bridport with the same agenda.

Both meetings, which attracted 320 people in total, concluded with the same unanimous verdict that WDDC’s scheme was not popular and should be stopped immediately.

People of West Dorset can still have their say in a constituency-wide poll.

Go to officespoll.org.uk to vote and leave your comments

Sue Farrant talks to Rethink staff and service users

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, visited Rethink’s mental health employment service, The Oasis, yesterday.

She spoke to staff and service users to find out more about mental health issues and signed Rethink’s manifesto pledge.

Sue Farrant said: “Visiting The Oasis and listening to what the people who work here have to say has been a real eye-opener. Mental health is too often seen as a taboo issue, so having something like this service so visible within the community really makes a difference. Should I be elected on May 6^th I would certainly be a champion for mental health in Parliament.”

Pauline Sparks, Rethink services manager, said: “I’m delighted that Sue could come and see the work we are doing here at The Oasis. It is this kind of community venture, supporting people with experience of mental health problems with work experience and training, that can help people’s recovery. We invite candidates of all parties to visit and hear the first-hand experiences of the people who front the service.”

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Dr Sue Farrant chairs the Bridport Public Meeting on WDDC proposed new offices

The second public meeting to discuss West Dorset District Council’s plans for a brand new headquarters at the Charles Street site in Dorchester attracted an audience of 80 people at Bridport Town Hall last night.

Dr Sue Farrant, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for the West Dorset constituency, chaired the meeting and opened proceedings with introductory remarks and the agenda for the evening.

Councillor Paul Sample JP, former Leader of Salisbury District Council, spoke to the public about the parallels between his experience in Salisbury and the present situation in West Dorset.

Cllr Sample said assurances were made to him by the Council that the Salisbury project would ultimately save money, increase efficiency and enable the Council to retain staff.

From the outset of the project to today, the cost has soared from £5 million to somewhere near £20 million.

Cllr Sample urged the community of West Dorset to rally together and do what it takes to force the Council to scrap the plan. The people of Wiltshire were incensed by what happened, but it was too late for them to stop the project from going ahead.

Cllr Sample said: “The Salisbury Council Leaders and Officers brought local government into disrepute and paid for it with their jobs. I hope the people of West Dorset will stand up and be counted. Learn from the Salisbury experience and turf them out and turf their plans out.”

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Paddy Ashdown, Dr Sue Farrant talk to Katie about her work

Dr Sue Farrant, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, visited the Arts Centre in Bridport this week to view an exhibition organised by Rethink, the national mental health charity.

Accompanied by former Liberal Democrat leader, Paddy Ashdown, Sue Farrant viewed a gallery of self-portraits painted by people affected by mental health issues. The exhibition was named ‘Rethink Parliament’ and enabled the participants to explore the themes of Parliament and what politics means to them.

A charity which is very close to her heart and one that she champions, Sue met with a couple of the artists, Katie Dare and David Russell, and spoke to them about their experiences.

Sue Farrant said: “Meeting Katie and David today was such a delight. It is marvellous to see what Rethink is doing for people and giving them the opportunity of a better quality of life. It is invaluable work that needs as much support as we can give it.”

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