Lib Dem leader Vince Cable speaks to the Standard during Cirencester visit

Dr Vince Cable MP, who represents Twickenham, visited the Growth Hub in Cirencester before speaking to a rally in the town’s Market Place and knocking on doors for the district elections.

As part of his visit to Cirencester, Mr Cable sat down with the Standard for a Q&A ahead of the elections.

Q - What is the purpose of your visit to Cirencester?

A - “I am going around the country supporting our candidates in the local government elections.

“The Cotswolds is a particularly interesting area because where we think we can make some significant gains on the district council, and at an outside possibility we might even capture the council, a long standing Conservative council.

“But at the very least to make some useful gains, and that’s the story I am picking up around the country.”

Q - Do you think the Lib Dems have a good chance of taking control of the council come Friday morning?

A - “I don’t want to predict that because it is a big leap but the vibes I’m picking up here are that we are making inroads and we will certainly make an advance.

“It’s an interesting place to be, we have a really good example of a modern style small university tailored to the interests of the local economy.

“But the issues which surface in the local council elections like the affordability of housing. the availability of housing, bus services, how you balance planning, and I think the general service delivery of the council isn’t thought to be very good in this area.”

Q - So is that something that you will look to change?

A - “The local Lib Dems are very upbeat, they have got a very young councillor leader and yes indeed, I think starts from a base in Cirencester.

“I think the Lib Dems who have been in the town council for many years have made a good job of it and they are hoping to move ahead into the whole of the district and then eventually the county.”

Q - So what would be a pleasing result?

A - “Across the country we hope to do better than last year where we made net gains of 75, which was almost identical to the Labour Party.

“This time we would expect to do better, I think anything in three figures would be a good result but we may do even better.”

Q - The Green Party and the Lib Dems in the Cotswolds are working together in this year’s elections, what are your thoughts on the move?

A - “It is something I encourage, cross party working is something I’m very much in favour of, I wish there was more of it to be frank.

“In the borough when I am the MP, which is Richmond, we have a pact with the Greens.

“They have some councillors on the Lib Dems slate and we work in partnership with them, and then they support us in general elections, so it’s been a very good collaboration.

“I know that doesn’t apply all over the country but there’s a very good working relationship where I am and obviously here so I’m all in favour of it.”

Q - What are your thoughts on a committee system?

A - “I used to be a councillor many years ago and that was a system we had and I think it works much better.

“The danger with the cabinet system, is that it was introduced around 20 years across the country on the basis that it was more efficient.

“It actually leads to secrecy and the vast majority of councillors being shut out of decisions and a lack of proper accountability.

“So I can understand why they are moving back to a committee system.”

Q - How important is it that people have their say and get out there and vote?

A - “Well if people don’t vote and don’t express their opinion, they can’t then complain when things turn out badly.

“The only answer is to get involved, participate and vote.

“I think participating, voting, expressing your view, even if it’s frustrating is the way democracy should work.”

Cotswold District Council elections take place on, Thursday, May 2.

The Lib Dems currently have 11 seats on the council and need to gain seven in order to run the council.

The Conservatives have run Cotswold District Council for the last 16 years.

Yesim Nicholson, manager of Cirencester Growth Hub said: “We were delighted to be able to show Vince Cable around the Growth Hub and to tell him about the work we do here, offering free advice, events and workshops to help new and growing businesses in the Cirencester area.

"It’s always good when high profile politicians visit, as it gets the message to Westminster that the rural business community is thriving and being supported by organisations such as ours.”