Elections 2026: Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey writes for The News

As I travel across the country, visiting towns and villages in Hampshire, I hear the exact same thing time and time again. People are utterly exhausted.

In Portsmouth, people are tired of a Labour party that has done nothing but break promises and feeling ignored by an out-of-touch Conservative party.

People are demanding change, but Reform are not the answer. Nigel Farage wants to bring Trump-style politics to our local councils, which will only sow more division on our doorsteps.

By voting for the Liberal Democrats in the local elections, you can elect hardworking local champions who will always put your community first.

For too long, the Conservatives have mismanaged our economy and neglected our vital public services. Families are still wrestling with the cost-of-living crisis, anxious about paying the bills and keeping the heating on.

Then there is the absolute scandal of our local environment across the south - with fly-tipping on our roads, and sewage in our rivers and coastal waters. Conservative and Labour Ministers have allowed greedy water companies to pollute our waterways, while water bosses walk away with millions in eye-watering bonuses. It is an environmental disgrace, and Liberal Democrats are leading the charge to hold these polluting companies to account.

Meanwhile, our National Health Service is being stretched to breaking point. Too many people are waiting weeks just to see a GP or register with an NHS dentist. As someone who has been a carer for most of my life, I know firsthand exactly how broken our social care system has become, leaving vulnerable people without the dignified support they desperately need.

We also know that getting the basics right matters. Whether it is fixing the endless plague of potholes ruining our roads, securing more visible community policing to tackle anti-social behaviour, or ensuring your bins are collected on time, Liberal Democrats believe that strong local government changes lives.

Our councillors work tirelessly all year round, listening to your concerns and fighting your corner.

You deserve a fair deal. You deserve representatives who listen, care, and act. This May, send a resounding message that you demand better. Vote for a hardworking local champion. Vote for the Liberal Democrats.