Thread by @BenThomasLD

I am ecstatically delighted to say that I will be running as the @LibDems parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, whenever the next election may be. Stopping the madness that is Brexit is absolutely a top priority for any Lib Dem candidate - but... 1/

It’s not the only reason that I am standing. Our country is struggling to find her place in the 21st Century. We have an antique voting system, which the Conservatives and Labour parties have selfishly kept alive for way beyond its use by date. 2/

I am in no doubt that if our electoral system reflected the views of the country more fairly, we wouldn’t be in the mess that we are today. People should never have to vote purely to spite the other candidate or have their vote interpreted as something it is not! 3/

I could go on for ages on electoral reform... but how about education instead. Our schools are struggling. Classes are swollen. Kids hungry. Teachers overworked. Parents having to whip around to buy our classroom essentials. That is absolutely shameful in the 21st century 4/

It’s why I believe that the Lib Dem’s proposals to invest £7bn in education, tripling the pupil premium to £1k, a focus on reducing workload and increasing teacher retention, providing free school meals so that no child studies on an empty stomach 5/

We should be addressing education as a #1 priority. We also have an environmental disaster on our hands and urgent action is needed. Let’s get renewable energy fuelling our country and ban fracking because using more fossil fuels is not the answer. Let’s insulate homes now 6/

And take back our Green Investment Bank. Let’s focus on getting our air cleaner, investing in better public transport and cycling schemes so that we live happier & healthier lives. End single use plastics. Make councils ♻️ better. We have one planet, act now. 7/

Worried about the rise in violent crime? Then let’s reform our drugs policy which is a catastrophic failure. Let’s work on undoing the legacy of @theresa_may as Home Sec & PM which is an underfunded, understaffed, overstretched police force. 8/

A retirement home now sits where Peacehavens police station once was. Funnily enough, crime went up as a result after it closed. Then this prime minister has the audacity to say he’ll bring back the 20k officers that he and his predecessor got rid of in the first place! 9/

We have a mental health crisis. Let’s give mental health parity with physical ailments, so that people, particularly youngsters, don’t wait any longer than needed to get the right treatment. If we treat this problem seriously, we might begin to actually address it. 10/

Lib Dem’s aren’t afraid of raising taxes by a 1p/£1, to ensure our NHS has the funding it needs to function properly as a service fit for purpose. Let’s spend £6bn on preventing illnesses, recruiting & retaining staff, modernising hospitals, social care... 11/

All these issues and so many more aren’t being addressed while Brexit sucks the life out of our civil service and treasury. More Lib Dem MPs would #StopBrexit and then would crack on with the real challenges of our times. I hope you’ll join me and #DemandBetter 12/

The referendum taught me to not sit idly by while bigots and demagogues run riot. It’s time to get involved, get door knocking, delivering leaflets, talking with friends and family. Our country’s in a total mess right now, let’s get on with fixing it #StopBrexitSaveBritain