Local Nursery, Welton Free Rangers, received a visit from Lib-Dem Leader, Jo Swinson, last Thursday in a quickly-arranged tour which saw the party’s enormous tour bus travel through tiny lanes. Alongside security, national press and television crews, the politician was shown around the nursery and took part in Forest School activities.

Ms Swinson also met with parents in a Question and Answer session, herself a working mother of two young children. They discussed everything from a lack of education funding and support for children with special educational needs; social housing, mental health issues, local jobs and farming, to TB.

As well as giving interviews with the press, she also met with local Lib-Dem Councillors, some of whom had surprise wins in the local elections held in May this year.

Although the visit was seemingly not to promote the Lib-Dem candidate for December’s General Election, Nick Coates, who was also present, the party have Jacob Rees-Mogg’s seat in their sights, with their recent leafleting grabbing the attention of local people (see Letters, page 2).

In a televised interview held on site and when inevitably asked about Brexit, she said: “The Liberal Democrats gained in local elections, and not everyone who voted to Leave still feels that way. Politics has changed. In many places, the Liberal Democrats are clear challengers to the Conservatives. We know that the Labour party has been imploding.”

Asked about last week’s pact with the Green Party and Plaid Cymru not to stand against each other in dozens of seats, she said: “We are proud that the party has come together in a spirit of co-operation so that we can maximise the number of MPs. As Liberal Democrats, we are clear that we want to stop Brexit, putting party politics to one side.”

The economy was also mentioned, visiting a local business in the West Country. Ms Swinson said: “We need to make sure that powers exist in these areas; life exists outside of the M25.”

Speaking about the visit, Nick Coates, the Lib-Dem PPC for North East Somerset, said: “It is very exciting, Jo being here. She is sparky, vibrant, visionary and taking us places.”

Speaking to local parents, Ms Swinson said the party would be setting out its policies in the coming days, and said that by staying in the EU, the money saved could be invested in public services, the biggest of which being education. Speaking about the difficulties that working parents face, she said: “There needs to be a total change in the view of presenteeism, and that we should all be working from 9-5. It is frankly, ridiculous. There are things that I have to do differently, such as video conferences in the evening, so that I can put my children to bed.

“I don’t have all of the answers, but I know we can do things differently. Part of the challenge is the cultural view that if you are not physically present, then you cannot be working.

Having children made me more efficient than ever before.”

Welton Free Rangers has campaigned for fairer funding for parents and this was a subject discussed at length, along with local social housing and support for single parents. One of the parents said: “There are a varied mix of people in this room – and nobody is winning at anything.”

Before she left, there were further national interviews. Ms Swinson said: “This is an unusual election as there is a huge amount at stake. It is still possible to stop Brexit and we are determined to make that happen. As Liberal Democrats we are clear. We are ambitious for the future of our country. I do think I could do a better job as Prime Minister.

“The country gets to choose – and Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn are not the only options on offer.”

Charlotte Lucas, Founder and Co-owner of Welton Free Rangers, told The Journal: “Anything that raises the awareness of our campaign for all B&NES Early Years children to access a fairer rate of funding is worthwhile.

“We spoke about the lack of funding overall, as well as funding not catering for families with children with additional needs. Jo Swinson also listened as we explained about the current recruitment crisis all settings find themselves in, and the possible solutions to remedy that.”