Our campaign keeps on building

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At a packed meeting last night to continue building our General Election campaign, Matthew Theobald was clear on our determination to win the seat, so we can build a brighter future for the people of Crewe and Nantwich.

The evening included some fantastic discussion about the ways we will work to address the issues that are hurting people in Crewe and Nantwich.

The campaign event saw an impressive turnout, with an energetic atmosphere for the wide ranging conversations.

A big thank you to everyone that came, and to the #LibDemBakers for the excellent cakes, freshly brewed teas & coffees.

Speaking after the event, Matthew’s thoughts turned to the people of Crewe and Nantwich
Perhaps you feel like Labour and Conservatives let you down.
They have. 
Other people locally felt like their parties, Labour and Conservatives, let them down. 
They’ve found a new home with the LibDems
They’ve made what they believe is the right choice for Crewe and Nantwich

A Brighter Future for education in Crewe and Nantwich

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It is so important that we ensure schools in Crewe & Nantwich are properly funded to ensure our children get the best opportunity for a great education.

As a local High School Governor, I see the harsh impacts on students, staff and families, of Conservative education funding cuts since 2015.

That’s why I spent time this weekend working with education experts on reversing this horrible situation.

The event attracted people from across the UK, people working in education, Councillors and Campaigners, so the conversation was lively and well informed.

It was invaluable to discuss the critical issues facing education, with colleagues from a range of backgrounds and experiences. Issues that directly affect pupils, their families and teaching staff in Crewe and Nantwich. Issues like:

The reality of inadequate school funding from 2016 to 2023 and the huge gap between funding and Boris Johnson’s claim just this summer to “level up” schools across the land.

The reduction in Council resources to provide vital support to vulnerable students and their families, at a time when they need it most.

Inclusion of LGBT and gender equality in relationships education, promoting an inclusive, fairer society.

Combating racism in our schools and colleges.

Reforming the broken system of assessments that is stealing time away from pupils’ learning and development.

Schools and local authorities facing inadequate funding, in the face of rising numbers of pupils with identified SEND support needs.

Like me, you’ll probably be thinking about how these burning issues can be addressed. It is clear that Liberal Democrat education plans will give our schools the support they desperately need, enabling all young people in Crewe and Nantwich to get the high quality education they deserve.

We will reverse school funding cuts with an emergency cash injection, so that pupils have the resources they need, to enable them to learn.

We will ensure that there is extra funding for children with the most complex needs.

We will invest in Further Education to save our colleges and extend pupil premium to disadvantaged students aged 16 to 19.

We will support children to learn, we will scrap SATs and give parents more valuable information about their school’s performance and ethos.

Perhaps you’re already thinking that this is an education plan that you can support. Maybe you would like to see these changes sooner rather than later.

Join me to Build A #BetterFuture for education, for our children, for our community. It benefits us all.

Matthew standing with Jo Swinson

It’s time to shake up politics!

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This is our chance to elect a Government that will stop Brexit

Last night Parliament voted in favour of a General Election on 12 December 2019.

This General Election will decide the future of our country for generations. It is our best chance to elect a Government to stop Brexit.

The Liberal Democrats are the strongest party of Remain and will be standing on a manifesto to stop Brexit by revoking Article 50.

This country deserves better than Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. Jo Swinson will take our positive, pro-European, liberal vision to the country as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Prime Minister

The people of #Crewe and #Nantwich deserve better, that’s why I am proud to be the Liberal Democrat candidate for this fantastic constituency.

Diana’s Story: How the NHS Saved My Life

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This is just one of many stories of local people who’s lives have been saved or transformed by our wonderful NHS, often by hard working staff from other EU countries.

We can’t afford for even more of our colleagues from other EU countries to leave – their rights are not guaranteed under this disasterous “deal” Johnson has secured.

#DemandBetter for our NHS
#DemandBetter for everyone in Crewe & Nantwich

It is clear that this “deal” is not good for our area, for our region, for our country So, you may be wondering what you can do?

Join me to Build a #BrighterFuture for Crewe and Nantwich.

Candidate chosen for Crewe & Nantwich

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A Nantwich resident and business leader has been chosen as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the next general election.

Matthew Theobald of Stapeley, runs a company that helps develop pharmaceutical and medical products throughout the UK, EU and US; work which highlights the effects of Brexit, and the potentially serious impacts on everyone who needs medicines or healthcare.

At a well attended meeting of Liberal Democrat members and supporters in Nantwich – so well attended that it had to be moved to a larger venue – he gained unanimous support to contest any election which may be called in the coming weeks or months.

Commenting on the selection, Matthew said

“Matthew Theobald speaking to constituentsYou only have to look at what’s been going on locally and nationally over recent months to see that two party politics is broken. No one voted for all this and many people feel they’re not being listened to by our elected representatives. It’s well past time that they were heard, to give voice to what’s best for our community. I will be that voice; demanding better for the people of Crewe and Nantwich, for our environment, for our children”.

Welcoming his selection, former local party chairman Gwyn Griffiths said

“Matthew is a long standing Nantwich resident with a record on issues such as local education and the need to protect our environment. He will make an excellent representative for Crewe and Nantwich, demanding better for our area and its people”.

Volunteering as a local High School governor, Matthew has responsibility for finances, resources, and oversight of Special Educational Needs provision. He has seen first hand the challenges faced by pupils, teachers and families that result from poor funding of education by central government. Challenges that Liberal Democrats have worked hard to address, through measures like Pupil Premium and Early Years Premium, that directly help disadvantaged children.

Matthew is a Parish Councillor for Stapeley and Batherton, and has worked with residents for over 7 years to prevent unwanted, inappropriate, speculative housing developments that build housing that isn’t affordable; types of housing that aren’t right for local people. He led a team of local people and residents groups to put in place a Neighbourhood Plan to protect the future hopes and aspirations of everyone who lives in the area. A Plan that is proving vital in shaping the area.

Twitter: @Matthew_LibDem

Facebook: @MatthewTheobaldLD

LibDem Autumn Conference 2019

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It probably hasn’t escaped your notice that the LibDems had an Autumn Conference over the past few days?

It’s been a busy, informative and motivating four days, from last Saturday morning through to a rousing speech from Jo Swinson on Tuesday afternoon, ending with this message:

“This much I am sure of. The opportunity in front of us is huge. And it is for the taking. We can win. We must win. And to do so, we must build the biggest liberal movement this country has ever seen. Our job is to gather the forces of liberalism, and be the rallying point for change.”

There’s a feeling of optimism, energy and drive here.  People are eager to get to work delivering on the policies that this and earlier conferences adopted.

You may have heard about some of the fantastic policies adopted by conference this week.  Things like:

You can catch up with all the policies and papers from Conference, as well as a round up of each day here.

Conference has been a great opportunity to meet other LibDems, from across the country.  I’ve also caught up with friends made at my first conference in 2017.

Not only that, there was lots of great training available.  So it’s been a challenge to work out how to get to everything you want to do.

It didn’t stop, thanks to a packed programme of fringe meetings, opportunities to talk with our MPs and Peers (including our newest members from the Parliamentary Party).  Yes, I did happen to take a few selfies with them!

After an intense, tiring, and satisfying four days, I’ve come back home armed with lots of useful information and support.

Matthew Theobald

Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe & Nantwich

Exciting news at Politics in a Pub

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At a packed Politics in a Pub, on Friday 6th September, we had the pleasure of announcing the Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe & Nantwich.

So many people came along that we had to quickly find a larger venue at The Leopard on London Road in Nantwich.  Fortunately, a marquee was available, which rapidly filled up too.

Accepting the role, Matthew shared his vision for our constituency. He briefly described his background, experience as a campaigner, local Councillor and School Governor, before outlining the choice that will face voters at the ballot box, come a General Election.

A lively Question and Answer session followed and the formal part of the evening was rounded off by a call for volunteers to help with the coming General Election campaign.

After a more relaxed chat back in the bar area, the evening concluded with a quick photo of our candidate with some of the people who came along.

Group of Lib Dem members at a politics in the pub meet up
Our Parliamentary Candidate, Matthew Theobald, with some members and supporters