Message for the New Year

From everyone at South Suffolk Liberal Democrats we would like to wish all our members, supporters and friends a very happy and peaceful 2024

The year promises to be important for our country with a general election due sometime in the year.

After four years of chaos, incompetence and sleaze it is time for a change not just of government but approach.

Our current Tory MP deserves to be held to account for his part in creating the mess we are in. He supported and justified the antics of Mr Johnson until the very end. He supported trade deals with Australia and New Zealand which threaten the viability of our agriculture sector whilst offering no measurable benefit elsewhere in the economy. He opposed windfall taxes on energy firms until the government suddenly U-turned and has opposed all attempts to hold the water companies to account for dumping sewage in our rivers and seas . He has done all this because he is ambitious for ministerial office which requires him to support policies that potentially harm his constituents.

We offer a different path. We have chosen Tom Bartleet as our parliamentary candidate. He is not a career politician but a recently retired successful businessman. He does not crave ministerial office but want to serve his local community. He has made it clear he will put his constituents needs above those of our party if that is required.

We aim to run a campaign throughout 2024 to allow you to meet and talk with Tom.

Since announcing his candidacy we have been surprised and pleased by the positive reaction it has generated with new members and volunteers coming forward to help get him elected.

There is lots to do and the more help we get the more we can do to push the incumbent MP to justify his past actions. Just over a decade ago we came a very good second in South Suffolk and that was in the days before we were all enveloped in Tory chaos. Labour have publicly said this is not a battleground seat for them, the Greens are focussed on fighting to win Waveney in North Suffolk. Only the Liberal Democrats can realistically give the Tories a run for their money in the election.

Come a join us. Become a member, volunteer to help Tom's campaign ( we have lots of things that need doing!) or simply donate to allow us to mount an effective campaign.

Go to our website front screen and click on the appropriate icon. Any help you can give will be gratefully received