Not all that many seats changed hands in the General Election, but the impact is staggering. It is possible to trace a direct connection between the number of seats the Liberal Democrats took from the Tories / retained in the face of Tory campaigns and the massive changes to the Conservative legislative programme outlined in the Queen’s Speech.

Voting Liberal Democrat in this year’s election did count – at least in the 12 constituencies where we were successful. Liberal Democrat victories helped take away the Government’s majority. Without them, the Tories would have just been able to cling onto power without needing a deal with the DUP.

So what do those victories mean for the UK?

The terrible ‘dementia’ tax binned (out for consultation is a polite way of saying this!)
No cruel means-testing of winter fuel payments
No roll-out of grammar schools (which would have hit resources for existing schools)
No vote to bring back fox hunting
No axing of free school meals for 4 to 7 year olds
No ending of the pensions ‘triple-lock’

All in all, that’s not a bad day’s work for the Liberal Democrats!

However, it could have been better. We were very close to gaining four other seats. If more people had voted Liberal Democrat in those seats and we had held onto Richmond, a Tory/DUP alliance would not have a working majority. People’s reluctance in many seats to vote Liberal Democrat has handed power to a Northern Ireland party that is far from progressive and unrepresentative of most British voters.

Yes, this election proves that democracy does work – for the sake of all our futures, those that don’t vote should try it sometime!

Content published and promoted by Roy Sheward on behalf of Dan Barker (Liberal Democrats) all at 144 Redhouse Lane, Walsall, WS5 0DB