The Liberal Democrats have gained 1000 new members since Theresa May announced a snap General Election.

In the first hour following the announcement the party saw a surge in membership as people flocked to support the party and change the direction of the country away from the Conservatives' disastrous hard Brexit.

Membership of the party has boomed and the number of members is the highest of this Century.

President of the Liberal Democrats, Sal Brinton, said:

"This is a time when liberals must stand together, and people across the country are doing just that.

"The surge in our membership proves that the Liberal Democrats are seen as the real opposition to this Conservative Brexit Government.

"While Theresa May is seeking to divide the country, the Liberal Democrats are the only party fighting to keep Britain Open, Tolerant and United."

I believe I have the experience and commitment to represent the residents of Haymill and Lynch Hill if I am successful in the by-election to Slough Borough Council on 4^th May.

I have lived in Slough for 33 years and am a volunteer for Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East Berkshire, helping to protect the interests of older people.

Slough Liberal Democrats have chosen long-standing Slough resident and campaigner Gary Griffin as their candidate for the Haymill and Lynch Hill by-election to Slough Borough Council on 4^th May.

Gary stood up for Slough residents in recent consultations and is shocked that local Conservatives failed to do so. Gary says "I told the Boundary Commission that their plans to implement Conservative Government proposals by moving Salt Hill Park, Chalvey and part of High Street out of Slough constituency and into Windsor constituency were unacceptable. I'm shocked that local Conservatives failed to oppose these proposals."

In a letter published in the local papers on 26 August (see below), Robert Plimmer repeated his call for the leaders of Slough's Labour-run Council to reverse their decision to massively increase charges for hiring council sports pitches. Robert highlighted the success of Team GB at the recent Olympics and the inspiration it provides for increasing health-promoting physical activity in the community, drawing on the encouragement for increased physical activity provided by ITV's shut-down on Sat 27th August and quotes from the Chief Medical Officer. Robert explained that increased hire charges had caused a drastic drop in the number of council sports pitches hired in Slough, saying 'there could not be a better time for the councillors to listen to my request and reverse the massive hike in charges. This would be good for participation in community leisure activities, and good for the health of those involved.'

It is depressing when the adversarial style of politics which is such a feature of British democracy generates more heat than light. It all too often does. One reason for this is, I believe, the historical domination of politics by males. This has meant that frequently testosterone has rather too much say in determining our political behaviour and the tone of the debates that take place. The rudeness and boorish behaviour that I have experienced in the Council Chamber was not, on the numerous occasions I witnessed it, an edifying experience. So, at one level, at least, it seems to me that we should welcome Theresa May as our second woman Prime Minister. We need more women in politics and more women in top jobs. Her appointment should also remind us of how much more work we as a party must do to increase our own diversity so that we can better represent society as a whole. However, her previous record as Home Secretary is particularly illiberal and does not fill us with optimism when she talks about her 'one nation' aspirations.

After the local elections in May 2016 the majority of Slough's Labour councillors agreed Robert Plimmer was right in his criticisms of Slough's Labour-run Council. As Robert explained in a letter published in the local papers: 'When I stood as the Liberal Democrat candidate in Cippenham Meadows Ward on 5th May, I criticised many of the things done by the Labour-run Council including their appalling mismanagement of Slough's Children's Services.'

The long-awaited Chilcot Report proves the Liberal Democrats were right to oppose Tony Blair's illegal war on Iraq. Commenting, current Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, praised the judgement shown by Charles Kennedy in leading the Lib Dems to oppose the Iraq war and to unanimously vote against it.