LibDems sighted, though not in this ward.

I've been handed a 'Focus' leaflet for the Exmouth Town Ward LibDems. While it's been written in their normal combative style they really do appear to be clutching at straws. And of course it does suggest that they are completely ignoring Littleham Ward.
They have pinched the title of the campaigning website Communities Before Developers, although none of the Exmouth LibDems have yet signed CBD's candidates pledge. I am sure they are aware of it as some of their colleagues in other parts have signed.
They promise to be strong against excessive development and over spending by the tories. They claim that they are the only party who can stop the tories taking overall control of EDDC and ETC.
They are even cheeky enough to produce a graph titled '2009 local election results in East Devon' which gives them 33% of the cake.
According to EDDC's website the only 'local' elections in 2009 were the county council elections plus a by election for Sidmouth Town Council. These bear no resemblance to the grossly undemocratic East Devon District Council, which is 71% tory and 17% LibDem. The County Council does have the chance to swing both ways, as Exmouth knows to it's cost.
The last test of voter preferences in East Devon was last year's general election, where the tory won with just under half the votes cast, say 47% of a good 72% turnout. The Tiverton and Honiton seat, which includes part of our district, was also won by the tories with fractionally above 50%.
So at district level it is likely that half of those who vote or are helped with their votes support the tories, but that they will get many more than half of the seats. And while 33% of individuals did support the LibDems last year, many feel betrayed and will never do so again and many more will not get the opportunity because they will not be putting up candidates.
It is disingenuous of the LibDems to claim they can prevent full tory control at EDDC. They will be lucky to retain their current 10 seats. It is most important that there is a strong enough group of Independents and Greens etc. not only to carefully scrutinise the tories, but to ensure the LibDems pull their weight as part of the opposition, something I understand has been rather lacking over the past year.