A FORMER North Cornwall Liberal Democrat MP has reflected on his decade in the role, as he announces he will not put himself forward as the party’s next prospective Parliamentary candidate.

Dan Rogerson said it was a ‘privilege’ to have served the constituency from 2005 to 2015.

He said: “It was wonderful to work with local people and organisations to deliver for our area, particularly, but not only, the strong Liberal Democrat team who always put Cornwall at the heart of what they do.

“Last June, after a frantic snap General Election campaign and an incredibly difficult period for my family, the Liberal Democrats in North Cornwall bucked the trend in the region, keeping Labour in third place and keeping the seat winnable.

“However, it was not the night for us. While it was a bad night for the Conservatives across the country, they held on in North Cornwall.

“I have been thinking long and hard since then about how I can best help win this seat back from the Conservatives.

“I think it is time that excellent new campaigners be given their chance to work alongside our more experienced candidates.

“Although it has been a difficult choice, I have therefore decided not to put my name forward.

“There are any number of things that I could point to as achievements; there were the big wins — getting the A30 dualled at Temple, delivering a cut in water charges for Cornish residents and getting greater broadband access for our rural areas.

“Most rewarding was being able to help tens of thousands of residents on a whole range of issues — from Bodmin to Bude, Launceston to Lanivet, Camelford to Coads Green and in all the parishes of North Cornwall, including the Newquay area before 2010.

“Making a difference every day for the people who elected me was what really made the job worthwhile.

“North Cornwall needs a strong voice in Westminster now more than ever. I will be supporting my successor as Lib Dem prospective Parliamentary candidate to win the seat back from the Conservatives in a part of the world where liberal roots go deep.

“Finally, I’d like to thank everyone I worked with over the years and most importantly I’d like to thank the residents of North Cornwall — whether you voted for me or not.”

North Cornwall Liberal Democrats will be moving forward with a selection process to find their next candidate over the coming months.