THE Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for the new Tiverton and Minehead constituency has set out her stall ahead of this year's election, telling voters 'not to be taken for granted.'

Former NFU director and current Mid-Devon councillor, Rachel Gilmour, has launched her campaign pledging to be the hardworking MP 'that the area deserves.'

Speaking to the Free Press, Mrs Gilmour said: "I passionately believe that the West Country, particularly in the area I am standing, has just been taken for granted by the Conservative government.  "Even people who don't share my politics would agree that I work hard for my community. I would be mortified to be accused of being idle."

The mother of four has already been out meeting voters, in a ward which stretches across Devon and Somerset, from Langford Budville to towns along the West Somerset coast. She said:

"People really value the personal touch. I think it is cheeky expecting to be elected without going out there and knocking on people’s doors. I go canvassing five times a week with my fantastic team, knocking on over 1000 doors a month and getting a very good response.  “People tell me what really matters to them, and that’s the crux of what an MP should be doing, making themselves available to their constituents. The area deserves somebody who absolutely works their socks off, that means surgeries twice a week, replying to emails all the time and getting out to meet people on their doorsteps.  “If people have met me already, don’t think that is the last time you’re going to see me. If I get elected, I’ll be back. I want to hear people and for them to have a sense of worth because they know they have a hardworking MP who respects them.”

Mrs Gilmour highlighted a number of issues she said she would seek to address if elected, including the long-standing issue of the B3191 closure in Watchet, pledging to make fixing it a priority. She said:

“You can’t go through Watchet anymore, which has had a disastrous impact on local businesses since the road fell into the sea. That should be a priority for the current MP, and it should be a priority for the next MP and I would like to know why it isn’t at the moment.

"People are concerned about the crisis in our NHS, the effluent in our waterways and a Conservative government that seems unable or unwilling to do anything about it. “It offends me that we have less money to spend on healthcare. It offends me that our children go to schools that are underfunded. It offends me that there aren’t enough properly paid carers to look after our elderly and infirm.  “I have had a passionate sense for justice since I was a child, which is what makes me a Liberal, and it makes me want to stand up for my community.” Mrs Gilmour had a message for voters, warning them the election would be a 'two horse race.' She said: "This contest is a two-horse race between me and the Conservative candidate. Labour can't win here.

"I am not taking anything for granted. I am not ambitious for myself, but I am ambitious for this constituency.

"Stop being taken for granted, vote for somebody who will work hard on your behalf.”