MP tells Colyton and Colyford Conservative branch it is importamt everyone takes part in the referendum

The importance of voting in the EU referendum was highlighted when Baroness Pidding and MP Neil Parish were guest speakers at Colyton and Colyford Conservative branch’s recent annual dinner.

Some 60 people were at the event, which was also attended by a number of local councillors.

Emma Pidding spoke about the Conservative Party Reform Review, of which she is a panel member. She said that it was crucial that the party undertook this important review so it could meet the challenges of the future.

She also spoke of her numerous roles within the voluntary side of the party over many years.

She said: “The Conservatives ‘victory at the last election, enabling an EU referendum to be held, was very important, something no other party could offer. Every vote counts; we all have one vote whoever we are…the Prime Minister, you and me, we have equal votes …”

She said her new job as a recently created Baroness in the House of Lords was fascinating and she had learnt a huge amount since she was ennobled in October of last year, attending the chamber regularly and hoping to make further contributions to debates in the years ahead..

Neil Parish thanked Baroness Pidding and spoke about the importance of people voting in the forthcoming referendum. He confirmed his view that the country should remain in a reformed European Union and reiterated Baroness Pidding’s opinion that every single vote counts and it was important that the poll should be held in June so that, whatever the result, the Government could go on with governing the country as there was still much to do.

Branch chairman Simon Card thanked everybody for attending, especially praising Joy Sneath, Michael Gardiner and Rupert Butler for helping make the evening such a success.