Across the country Liberal Democrats are building a stronger economy in a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life.

Councillors have proud records locally, standing up for local people:

• No library will be closed in any Lib Dem-run or Lib Dem-led authorities this year. Northumberland County Council, Portsmouth and Stockport are opening new ones

Julian Brazil, Devon County Councillor for Kingsbridge and Stokenham, highlights flooding, affordable housing and the budget in this latest edition of his quarterly newsletter.

Liberal Democrats are fighting all the Devon County Council seats across the South Hams area, as part of the campaign to regain control of the County Council.

The selected candidates in the Divisions in the Totnes Constituency are:

• Dartmouth and Kingswear: Jan Henshall
• Kingsbridge and Stokenham: Julian Brazil (sitting councillor)
• South Brent and Dartington: David Robinson
• Thurlestone, Salcombe & Allington: Laurel Lawford
• Totnes Rural: Andrew Bridgwater.

This April will see the introduction of a number of changes to the tax and welfare system that have been championed by the Liberal Democrats.

The Fairer Tax campaign exists to cut taxes for working families whilst making sure the super-rich pay their fair share.

Now more than 20m working people will be paying £600 a year less than they were under Labour, as the tax threshold rises to £9,440. Someone earning the minimum wage will have seen their Income Tax bill cut in half.

Julian Brazil is rolling his sleeves up in preparation for May's Devon County Council elections. The Liberal Democrat Councillor is fighting to retain his Kingsbridge and Stokenham ward seat for a third successive time and the former supply teacher and plucky veteran of local politics is leaving nothing to chance. Despite a record of successive victories, including his 2009 election against former Kingsbridge Mayor, Rufus Gilbert, the university graduate admits there is still work to be done, reiterating his passion to serve his local communities and put their needs ahead of his party's, a philosophy which has earned him the affectionate nickname, 'the people's politician'.
"Local communities tell me they want a councillor who will stand up for local people", he says, "I agree that party politics should not come into it and I always try my best to be a voice for the views of the local communities I represent at council - sometimes with more success than at other times."
Taking pride in his work, the former Finance Director of a design and print company is a keen campaigner for greener policies, being a former Chairman of the Green Liberal Democrats and environment researcher for the party. In addition to being an advocate for increased affordable housing, the councillor is keenly campaigning against the introduction of car parking charges, which were last proposed to be introduced across the county in 2010 before being withdrawn, an event Mr Brazil feels reflects the frustrating but also rewarding and sometimes satisfying 'rollercoaster ride' of politics, where a councillor can help support a local community, assist a particular project and especially help families in need.
One of Mr Brazil's flagship campaigns is to fight council tax increases, which could rise due to increased financial squeezing on councils or see an increased radical reduction of vital local services. However, the councillor feels a 'slash and burn' policy on cutting local services isn't the answer with the more measured approach needed, and the focus instead directed on streamlining the unnecessary cost of increased bureaucracy in councils.
"It is annoying to see Council Tax go up while services get cut, as the council continues to waste money on outside consultants and box ticking exercises", Councillor Brazil says, "Now, more than ever, we need to make sure that Councils are delivering the services that are important to you [the electorate]".
When taking a rare break from politics, the councillor plays cricket at his local club along with darts, fishing or euchre. For now, the fishing rod and darts may have to lay unattended and the councillor is pulling out all the stops, following Lord Ashdown's recent motto of "work to win", something the Mr Brazil has become exceptionally good at: "I have always tried to do this and very much hope that with that electorate's support I can continue to serve our local communities and make a difference".
Come Thursday May 2nd, local residents can contribute to that difference by voting for Julian Brazil, the people's choice.

The Liberal Democrat County Council candidate for Totnes Rural ward gives his view on the 'stealth tax' and recycling in his monthly newsletter.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has closed the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Brighton by calling on members to spread the message of the Party's commitment in Government to deliver a stronger economy and a fairer society.

In his keynote Leader's speech, Nick paid tribute to the work of the Party in winning the Eastleigh by-election, beating the Conservatives into third place and squeezing Labour while campaigning on the Lib Dem record of delivering in Government.

"Our party is the spice and the catalyst who will provide ideas for the next generation", Liberal Democrat peer Jenny Tonge told Totnes and Brixham party members at their recent Annual Supper Evening.

The Baroness, who was guest speaker for the evening at Totnes Rowing Club, gave an speech filled with honesty on the party's current situation and hope for the future.