Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats announce Lara Pringle as their Police and Crime Commissioner candidate.

Lara is an experienced criminal barrister and a Liberal Democrat Councillor in Dacorum. She has built up a reputation as a formidable campaigner and a champion of social justice.

As a criminal barrister with over two decades of experience prosecuting, Lara understands what drives crime. She recognises the huge challenges faced in the criminal justice system and knows that strategic investment and a change of focus is required.

Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats decry the decision by Conservative members to close three short break respite homes across the county, significantly reducing capacity.

The three sites slated for closure are at Tewin Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hixberry Lane, St Albans and Apton Road, Bishops Stortford.

At the Adult Care and Health Panel today, a petition was presented by the Carers organisation, Carers in Herts, making very valid points and seeking a cooperative process with Adult Care Services to build the right respite strategy service before closures are considered, and Cllr Ron Tindall as LibDem spokesperson put this forward as an alternative recommendation to the panel. Sadly this vote was lost with all Conservative members voting against, despite several of them having echoed the concerns of the petitioners and opposition members during the debate. Instead the proposal to authorise closure was voted through; all opposition members voted against. One Conservative Member who had suggested that the recommendation should be amended to consider the plans further before committing to closures at least abstained (much to his credit).

On Wednesday 27^th November, Dacorum Full Council adopted an important Lib Dem Motion to raise the alert on the local water supply and the risk to globally-rare "chalk-streams" in Dacorum.

Members were unanimous on the Motion, instructing the Environment Portfolio-Holder to write to the Environment Agency, the Water Companies and the Planning Inspector, to highlight the Borough's concerns about water-levels in the chalk aquifer upstream of the Gade and the Bulbourne.

The Electoral Reform Society's research into the recent election shows that the need for electoral reform is only getting stronger.

Voting reform is not about the electoral advantage of any party.

It is about better democracy.

As politicians we have a responsibility to ensure voters across the UK do not feel disenfranchised.

In this election the Liberal Democrats increased their vote share by 4%, more than any other party, but achieved fewer seats in Parliament.