Former Tory MEP John Stevens joined Justine McGuinness on Friday 20 October to campaign in rural West Dorset. Mr Stevens and Ms McGuinness met voters in Symonsbury and the surrounding area. Justine McGuinness commented:

“John Stevens came to West Dorset to support local Liberal Democrats. John believes that the Conservative Party is now extreme and extremely ineffective. It is clear that the effective opposition to Labour in this Parliament is coming from the Liberal Democrats.

“More and more people who have supported the Conservatives in the past are following John and joining the Lib Dems. John and I met several people on Friday who voted Conservative in the past and have decided not to do so again.”

John Stevens left the Conservatives and joined the Liberal Democrats in December 2001. Mr Stevens lives in Devon.

Following the Government’s introduction of the School Transport Bill to the Commons, Justine McGuinness, West Dorset’s Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, said: “We must save free school buses, so that our children can get to school where ever they live in rural West Dorset. When this was first raised in the Queen’s speech last year I voiced my concerns. My fear is that this Bill will make it more difficult for some families and encourage more parents to drive their children to school rather than pay an extra charge.”

Justine McGuinness wrote to Charles Clarke during the consultation on the School Transport Bill to stress the likely negative impact charging would have in rural West Dorset.

She commented: “Some children in rural West Dorset simply cannot get to school without the bus. It is vital that we keep free school transport for children who live too far away to walk or cycle to school.”

Justine McGuinness is asking people to sign a petition at:

www.west-dorset-libdems.org.uk/saveourbuses.

Justine McGuinness, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, and Molly Rennie, former Dorchester Mayor, joined hundreds of Magpie supporters at Dorchester Town Football Club on Saturday. Justine was the guest of the club’s Vice President Gary Beresford and presented the Man of the Match award to recently-signed Gary Middleton. Middleton has never won the award before.

Justine commented: “I was delighted to be a guest on Saturday. Dorchester Town Football Club does so much for Dorchester, whether it is encouraging children to play football or the Avenue Forward Line, who raise thousands of pounds for local charities.

“It was a shame the Magpies did not win and I wish them the best of luck for their next game. It was an honour to present Gary Middleton the Man of the Match award.”

Commenting on growing concerns regarding deployment of British forces in the US sector of Iraq, West Dorset Liberal Democrat Justine McGuinness said: “Further deployment should only come at the request of British commanders on the ground, and only for the purposes of fulfilling more effectively the role that they are already undertaking.”

Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats has taken a very strong line against the deployment of British forces in the US sector of Iraq.

Justine McGuinness is backing the Lib Dem call for a vote before troops are committed and seeking support for that vote to take place as soon as possible. She challenges sitting West Dorset MP to join her call and to support the Liberal Democrat initiative.

Congratulations to Sherborne Tourist Information Centre which has Highly Commended runner up in the Tourist Information Centre of the Year category of the 2004 South West
England Tourism Excellence Awards. Justine McGuinness commented:

“Congratulations to everyone who works at the Tourist Information Centre in Digby Road. Quite rightly it has been recognised as one of the best in the South West.

“Tourism brings in a staggering £210m into West Dorset. It is important to our local economy that West Dorset’s offers a good information service to tourists, which the Centre in Sherborne does. Well done to everyone who works there.”

Following months of hard work led by local Liberal Democrats, the campaign to save Bridport’s Town Hall toilets has had a significant boost. Bridport Town Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee has agreed to negotiate. Over 3,000 people have now signed the Liberal Democrats petition to Save the Loos and the campaign has been supported by a wide range of local people and businesses.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson, Justine McGuinness commented: “This result has come about by local people working together for a common cause - to save our loos! While they are certainly not the greatest facilities, the Town Hall toilets are used by 250 people an hour and are clearly needed.

“Bridport was shocked and angry by the District Council’s terrible decision to close these loos. It is excellent that our local Town Councillors are working hard to keep the toilets open. I wish them every success in their negotiations with the District Council.”

Bridport is a market town and a tourist town being a Jurassic Coast Gateway town. Both visitors and local residents need toilet facilities.

The proposed closure would affect businesses in Bridport in particular - cafes in South Street are only allowed to sell drinks if there are toilets within easy reach and Bridport market traders rely on the facilities.

Justine McGuinness today welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement that Gurkhas who have served in the British Army will be able to apply for settlement and then British citizenship on completion of their service. West Dorset Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson, Justine McGuinness commented:

“The Gurkhas have shown great loyalty to our Queen. They are amongst the most celebrated soldiers in the British Army. In the past they fought bravely for the people of the United Kingdom, which is clear from their 13 Victoria Crosses and numerous other bravery awards. It is time that their service and dedication to duty was recognised.”

Paul Keetch MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, said:

“We must recognise that we cannot treat 21st century soldiers like 19th century conscripts. The special historical arrangement that allows the Britain Army to treat Gurkhas as second class soldiers with regard to pensions and benefits must be revised.”

Lyme Regis and Up-Lyme Liberal Democrats had a bar-be-que lunch meeting on Saturday 25 September, held at Dr and Mrs Bowles’s home in Lyme Regis, for members and supporters. West Dorset Parliamentary Spokesperson, Justine McGuinness commented: “It was a lovely lunch kindly hosted by Dr and Mrs Bowles. Following a very successful week for the Liberal Democrats, this was a chance for old and new friends to meet and chat. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Bob Bowles was an excellent bar-be-que chef, despite the rain! I would like to thank everyone who came and made it such a successful event.”