Ed Davey sends Somerset Christmas wreath to Chancellor to demand action
Liberal Democrats call for Government to address South West funding issues
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has announced plans to send a festive Christmas wreath, made during a visit to Somerset, to the Chancellor. The gesture aims to call attention to what he describes as the continued neglect of the South West by the Government.
During his Somerset visit today, Ed Davey joined Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset, for a craft session at Little Lost Robots where he learned how to make holiday wreaths.
Ed Davey criticised the Labour Government, urging them to take a fresh approach as the New Year approaches. He called on Ministers to address urgent issues facing rural communities across the region, from transport links and funding for healthcare to flood prevention schemes and farming support.
Ahead of November’s Budget, South West Liberal Democrat MPs staged a demonstration outside the Treasury, requesting investment in vital regional projects. Despite their appeals, areas including Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire received no mention in the Chancellor’s Budget.
Ed Davey said: “The South West is a unique part of England with an incredibly proud and strong heritage. All I want this Christmas is for the Grinch Labour Government to stop ignoring the desperate pleas of communities across the region.
“It’s incredibly disappointing and disheartening for families in the South West to once again receive practically peanuts from the Chancellor while being continuously overlooked by this Government, especially after years of an incompetent Conservative government that took them for granted.
“Keir Starmer’s New Year’s resolution should be to stop neglecting the South West and finally listen to the pleas of concerned residents struggling under a Government that refuses to recognise their needs.”
Anna Sabine added: “I am so proud of how incredibly resilient communities across Frome and East Somerset are in the face of constant neglect from the Government.
“We are crying out for additional funding for our NHS services, for rural crime and for better transport links so people can actually access services.
“The Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for communities across Somerset and demand that they be heard by the Government.”