New Chair for local Lib Dems

THE CARMARTHENSHIRE and Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats have elected a new Chair of their Local Party. This covers the four constituencies over the two counties.

Andrew Lye from Johnston, near Haverfordwest , took over at their May Executive Meeting from Mike Warden, who had already announced at last November’s AGM of his intention to retire after the Welsh Assembly elections.

Mike Warden from Puncheston, Pembrokeshire, has been active in local politics for many years, including as a past candidate for Pembrokeshire County Council and for the Welsh Assembly.

Mike Warden said: “My reason s for standing down are mostly to do with my age – my energy levels are not what they used to be ! Although I have retired from the Chair, I shall be continuing as a member of the Executive and still be actively involved.”

Mike Warden added: “I’m very pleased that Andrew has taken over as he has a very clear and realistic view of what the Welsh Liberal Democrats need to do – to regain the ground lost at the last two elections.”

Andrew Lye has lived in Johnston for almost 15 years. He moved there from Trowbridge, the County town of Wiltshire, with his ex-wife in 2001. Andrew’s background in politics started in 1985 when he joined the SDP. He was elected to Trowbridge Town Council in 1988 and served on it until 2001. He was Chairman of the Trowbridge Town Council in 1994-5. He also served on West Wiltshire District Council and within three days, was elected Deputy Group Leader (and Deputy Council Leader) of the ruling minority Liberal Democrat group. Andrew served his three year term as Council Leader from 1994- 97.

Andrew said: “The last 2 elections were not good for the Welsh Liberal Democrats after the Westminster coalition. The irony is that our membership increased when we were reduced to eight MPs in May 2015 , and its gone up again since the result of the EU referendum was announced. But we are already planning for the 2017 County Council elections and ensuring that we have candidates lined up.

“We may be relatively small in numbers, but we are playing our part at Cardiff and attend conference s . It was just over a year ago that I proposed the motion calling for the Cleddau Bridge to be passed to the Welsh Assembly, for the tolls to end and for it to be trunked as part of the road system. This was passed overwhelmingly and was included in the 2016 manifesto.

“We have begun to attract young members and we are aiming to create Youth Branches in the two counties. The youth are our future.

“With the loss of four Assembly Members , and Kirsty Williams going into Carwyn Jones’s Cabinet in charge of the Education portfolio, the Welsh Liberal Democrats under the new leadership of Ceredigion MP Mark Williams are reviewing the organisation and we have been putting our views forward.

“Locally, we have to resolve the future of Liberal Chambers in St Mary’s Street, Haverfordwest , and rebuild in Llanelli. We also have to raise our profile locally.

“We accept it’s an uphill struggle, but we are not quitters and the result of the EU Referendum shows that there is still a need for a Liberal Democrat voice in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire .”

If anyone would like to join Andrew and his colleagues, visit the Lib Dems’ website. They can also be found on Facebook at ‘ Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats ‘ .