A FORMER Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate and long-standing activist is pledging his support to the Conservative's Central Devon prospective Parliamentary candidate Mel Stride for the coming General Election.

Richard Copus has insisted people who have voted Lib Dem historically can now "feel very much at home" with the direction and values offered by the Conservatives, both locally and nationally.

Richard, who has gained region-wide respect for his continued role as Devon spokesman for the National Association of Estate Agents, cited Mel Stride's "commitment, passion and dedication to local residents" as the main reasons behind his decision.

While Richard insists his "core values" have not changed, he now believes that it is the Conservatives who can offer the most to every section of society. He insisted that Liberal Democrat voters can "very much feel at home with the Conservatives and what they can both offer, and deliver."

As a Central Devon resident he is now urging others to give their support to Mel Stride and his campaign, saying that he believes that local Conservatives in Central Devon are "working harder on the ground than any other party, and are firmly connected to the issues that truly matter to local people."

Pledging his support, Richard said: "I have been an active member of the Liberal Democrats for 25 years and have stood for Parliament as a Lib Dem twice, which included fighting Labour's Ben Bradshaw in Exeter. But over the last few years a lot has happened to make me change my views.

"One major factor has been the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Central Devon, Mel Stride. I have watched him closely as a candidate for the last three years and have carefully read his articles, followed his campaigns and become sufficiently interested to hear him speak publicly and to meet him.

"As an active Lib Dem I was guarded initially, but came to respect his views and the positive way in which he campaigns. I am impressed with the passion with which he has taken up local issues - protecting our post offices, local hospitals, affordable housing, climate change, school funding, farming and rural transport, amongst other matters.

"I also admire his capacity to listen to people: a virtue many politicians lack. Working from the bottom up is my sort of politics. For too long, now, we have been governed from the top down with very little reference to what real people want.

"Housing is an example of this approach. The Conservatives want to put planning decisions back into the hands of the local people who have to live with the results."

Richard stood as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the 2001 General Election in Exeter, against Ben Bradshaw, and in Plymouth in 1997. He was the press officer for Richard Younger-Ross MP's campaigns in the 1980s.

Said Mel Stride: "I am delighted that Richard has decided to put his weight behind my campaign.

"Both Richard and I are particularly concerned about the lack of affordable housing in Devon and I have no doubt that going forward his advice and support in this area will be particularly useful."

Richard added: "I am urging people to support Mel at the next General Election.  Only the Conservatives can get rid of this worn out government and I know that Mel will give all of us a very powerful voice in Parliament."