On Saturday I watched the coronation of HM King Charles III at a local church. As people from across our communities witnessed a ceremony which many of us have not experienced in our lifetimes, we showed our ability to reconnect with what unites us and celebrated the history of our great nation.

Honiton and Tiverton MP Richard Foord writes for the Herald.

The coronation was not the only change that took place last week. On Sunday afternoon I went for a walk on Hembury Fort with my family. I could almost identify, in the fresh spring air, a sense of change and optimism.

Here in East Devon, we saw the Liberal Democrats make huge strides in the District Council elections by more than doubling our number of Councillors. We have elected some brilliant individuals to represent us.

The Liberal Democrats even unseated the Conservative group leader in East Devon, and Liberal Democrat gains in Mid Devon were the largest anywhere in England. I am so pleased for each of the new Councillors.

This should be a clear message to Conservative party bosses in London that people are fed up with being taken for granted and want politicians who are focused on being vocal champions for their communities.

These results were mirrored across the country, as over 1000 Conservative Councillors lost their seats in a bruising night for the governing party. Our NHS and healthcare services are creaking, water companies continue to discharge sewage onto our rivers and beaches, and Councils have endured harsh budget cuts from Westminster.

When I was elected as your local MP last June, it showed that change is possible if we come together and fight for it. The Liberal Democrats are the only party that can beat the Conservatives here in East Devon and get a fair deal for our rural communities. With a General Election looming sometime next year, we’ll have another chance to show that time is up for this Conservative Government.

I look forward to working with the new Council in East Devon to deliver sound government for our towns and villages and will continue to be outspoken in Parliament on your behalf.