Claire Perry and Liberal Democracy
Claire Perry-Conservative Member of Parliament for the Devizes constituency-announced yesterday (Friday, 6th September) that she will not seek re-election but will instead concentrate on her role as President of next year's major UN conference on climate (COP 26). There is no bigger or more important political job for Claire to take on. I wish her every success in COP 26's task of extracting detailed greenhouse gas reduction plans from the world's governments.
The Conservative Party now needs to select a new candidate quickly as it is highly likely that a general election will take place within the next few months. Sadly, the current Conservative party seems to have taken on the intolerance, isolationism and anger more characteristic of the American right and so I am not hopeful that we will see another Tory candidate of the kind we are losing.
For those seeking the political centre ground, those looking for policies based upon pragmatism rather than dogma and those who want to see a caring, inclusive outward-looking society, there is now more reason than ever to turn to the Liberal Democrats.
Jo Waltham, Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Devizes