A BRILLIANT night was had by all at the Fingle Glen Hotel in Tedburn St Mary on Saturday, September 16 where guest speaker Dr Liam Fox MP joined local MP Mel Stride and 100 members and supporters of the Central Devon Conservative Association (CDCA) for a fundraising dinner.

The Secretary of State for International Trade and Development is one of the three main Brexit negotiators and also represents a West County constituency - North Somerset.

Dr Fox gave an interesting insight into the Brexit negotiations and responded well to an intensive question and answer session. During his speech, Dr Fox spoke positively about the first UK-US trade and investment group meeting which he chaired in July which will lay the groundwork for a future free-trade deal.

Speaking after the event Mr Stride said: “Everyone really appreciated Liam taking a trip down the M5 and speaking to us about the most important political topic of our time, perhaps the most important in a generation.

“There was a mixture of people who had voted to leave the EU and people who had voted to remain but there was a great deal of unity over key issues including the need to get the best possible trading conditions for British businesses and farmers.”

CDCA Deputy Chairman for Membership and Fundraising, Patrick Johnstone, who helped organise the event, added: “Our local Association is more active than it’s ever been, with six successful fundraisers already held since the General Election in June and more planned for the autumn and winter.

“It is an exciting time to be involved with politics and anyone who wants to join our growing Association should contact our office on 01392 823336 or email: [email protected] .”

The CDCA covers the parliamentary constituency of Central Devon and has hundreds of members. It encompasses a third of West Devon including Okehampton, Hatherleigh and North Tawton, a third of Mid Devon including Crediton, and a third of Teignbridge including Exminster, Chudleigh, Bovey Tracey, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh.

Alan Quick