More National Parks as Lib Dems consider Quantocks and Mendips as new additions

The Liberal Democrats are committed to protecting our outstanding natural spaces and would introduce three new National Parks in the UK, with the Quantocks and Mendips – both within a 30-minute drive of the new Bridgwater Constituency – under consideration.

The Liberal Democrats have pledged an additional £50 million per year for our treasured National Parks, nearly doubling the amount invested to protect our most stunning natural landscapes.

In an ambitious but deliverable pledge to protect our environment and combat climate change, the Liberal Democrats would plant 60 million trees per year, reversing the trend of declining tree planting under the Conservatives.

Under the Conservatives, the UK is failing in 17 of its own 20 biodiversity targets.

The Liberal Democrats will cut greenhouses gases to net zero by 2045 and invest in our renewable energy, ensuring 80% of our power is produced from renewable sources by 2030, with the Bridgwater constituency set to play a key part in leading the charge against climate change.

Claire Sully, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the new Bridgwater constituency, said: “The prospect of up to two new nearby national parks would be fantastic for the residents of the new Bridgwater constituency.

“These are beautiful areas that deserve to be protected and enjoyed by the public, but under the Conservatives our environment has been tragically neglected. The Liberal Democrats have a plan to ensure our stunning natural landscapes are not only preserved, but they thrive.”

Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, said: “Our National Parks are some of the most beautiful in the country.

“The Conservative Party has broken too many promises to protect our countryside. Over the last few weeks, while travelling the country, I have heard from people about how important natural spaces are to families. It is hard to overstate the difference things like National Parks can make to entire communities.”