Thank you all so much.

I am delighted, honoured, absolutely over the moon to stand before you as the leader of the Liberal Democrats.

And as the first woman to lead our party.

I am delighted, honoured, absolutely over the moon to stand before you as the leader of the Liberal Democrats.

I joined this party when I was 17. And over the last twenty-two years, through all the ups and downs, the Liberal Democrats have felt like a family to me.

Stephen Robinson (Liberal Democrat, Leader of Chelmsford City Council) was asked to write for the Essex Chronicle about why libraries are vital.

Libraries that evolve to meet changing needs are a vital part of a strong community. Libraries continue to be vital sources of information, and their staff retain a crucial role in helping everyone navigate the bewildering array of information sources. Unlike Google, libraries don't set out to make a profit out of you, and they are there to serve everyone.

A climate and ecology emergency has been declared in Chelmsford. This was voted through at a meeting of Chelmsford City Council last night (Tuesday 16 July). The move comes as a growing number of UK councils have formally recognised the urgent need to reduce global temperature increases if we are to avert major disaster.

The parking at Broomfield Parade has been an issue for many years and something we, The Liberal Democrats, campaigned on to improve due to the previous administration failing to take action.

Let us know what you think in the short survey below

The Lib Dems took control of Chelmsford Council on 22nd May. Stephen Robinson was elected Leader of the Council and Marie Goldman Deputy Leader. The Lib Dem Group made proposals to reform the Cabinet structure to reflect Lib Dem priorities, as set out in the election manifesto.

The new Cabinet posts are:

105,480.

That's how many people had joined the Liberal Democrats as of midnight Saturday.

That makes it official - the Lib Dems have never had so many members!

First of all welcome to our new members - you've joined Britain's biggest liberal family. We couldn't be more excited to have you on board.

It's been a brilliant month for our party.

Residents, road users and businesses are being asked for their views on plans to transform Tindal Square and Chelmsford High Street.

The ambitious plans would see a new public space created outside Shire Hall with paving, public seating, planting and a two-way cycle route.

The proposed scheme, which would be delivered by Chelmsford City Council and Essex County Council, will be on show at two public events at High Chelmer Shopping Centre between 10am - 2pm on Saturday 8 June and 3pm - 7pm on Friday 14 June.

You can find out more information and share your views by visiting www.essex.gov.uk/tindalsquare between 4 June and 16 July.

The Liberal Democrats have secured the best ever European Election result in the party's history, electing 16 MEPs and winning second place in vote share across Britain.

Having run an unambiguous campaign to stop Brexit, the party has made huge gains across the country, which follow the party's best ever gains in English local election results at the start of May.

Responding to the result Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said:

"Our clear, honest, unambiguous message has won us our best ever European election result, and pushed Corbyn's Labour into third place.

"We have shown ourselves to be the strongest Remain force in British politics.

"We will always stand up for the people who have put their faith in us, taking this mandate forward to campaign harder than ever to stop Brexit.

"There is a clear lesson for Labour in tonight's results: get off the fence. In trying to please everybody they have pleased nobody.

"With a Tory leadership contest increasing the risk of a "No Deal" Brexit, Britain can no longer tolerate an Opposition which ducks and dives on the biggest issue of the day.

"If you want to see an outward looking Britain, standing tall in the world with our European partners, and offering opportunity to everyone at home, there is no better moment to shape the future of our party and our politics, by joining the Liberal Democrats."

The Liberal Democrats

This is the best ever result in the European Elections for the Liberal Democrats and by securing second place in the national vote, it is the first time that the Liberal Democrats have beaten both the Conservative and Labour Parties in a UK-wide election. The Liberal Party last did this 101 years ago.

We are on course to triple our 2014 vote share, and have secured our highest vote share since 2010 and are returning our largest ever group of MEPs.

It is the first time we have topped the poll in London, which sends a clear message ahead of next year's mayoral elections that we will be a serious player.

Conservatives

This is the worst ever result for the Conservatives in a UK-wide election. Their previous worst performance in the European Elections was to return 26 MEPs. They have fallen far, far short.

Labour

Labour are on course for their worst ever performance in a UK-wide election. They have never returned fewer than 13 seats and are on course to fall short of that.