On May 6 voters will choose their preferred candidates for Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and parish councils (if contested). We asked each party fielding multiple candidates to write why residents should vote for them.

The Liberal Democrats believe it’s your council; we’re here to help shape and develop the community in which you want to live, so that you can run your life how you want.

We stand for fairness, freedom and openness, for liberty, equality and community. The environment has been at our core since 1928.

The Liberal Democrats are the largest opposition group on the county council and only we can realistically lead a non-Conservative county administration.

While in opposition, we have recently secured over £1.5m to keep residents safe, to help communities recover from Covid-19 and to help our county’s children - sums which were not in the County’s budget until Liberal Democrat amendments.

As Liberal Democrats we understand that Stroud District Council covers a collection of unique communities grouped together to provide certain essential services. We know what matters to residents is their local community.

Liberal Democrats believe that working with parish and town councils and local groups is more important than sitting in the Council Chamber pushing a button to vote.

Liberal Democrats never require a councillor to vote against the interests of their ward on a local matter. If you already have a Liberal Democrat Councillor, you will know how hard they work to ensure that the voice of your community is heard, even when difficult decisions must be made.

Across the District, Liberal Democrat policies are as follows:

  • Continue to build social housing; insist developers provide affordable housing with infrastructure.
  • Continue to support low council tax, whilst using savings to invest in our communities.
  • Ensure all Council services are sustainable; protect our environment whilst supporting jobs and apprenticeships.
  • Make our streets cleaner by enforcing existing laws on litter and dog fouling. Bring the County Council to task over the state of our roads.
  • Retention and development of recreational and sports facilities, play areas and youth clubs, in partnership with town and parish councils and voluntary organisations.
  • Encourage and co-ordinate rural public transport provision, whilst ensuring all new developments have adequate parking.
  • Encourage tourism, making our communities more vibrant, enhancing business opportunities and employment.
  • Work with the police, neighbourhood wardens, town and parish councils and youth leaders to fight crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
  • Support voluntary organisations with financial, administrative and technical help.
  • Empower residents and local groups