93% of homes in Bournemouth could be eligible for sale to meet Theresa May’s so-called 'dementia tax', research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

Jon Nicholas and Phil Dunn have urged residents, irrespective of their party affiliation, to join a campaign to stop the Conservative social care plans which would saddle those with long-term illnesses with crippling care costs after their death.

Following the horrific attack on children and young people at the Manchester Arena last night, we have suspended all our election campaign activities until further notice out of respect for the casualities, their friends and families.

Our thoughts are with them all

Over 50 of Britain's leading business figures and entrepreneurs - including the founder of Ebookers, Dinesh Dhamija, co-founder of Innocent Drinks Richard Reed and businesswoman Nicola Horlick - have backed the Liberal Democrats today as the only UK party campaigning to stay in single market.

In a letter to The Times, the business figures write that leaving the single market would be "destructive to the British economy," and that the Liberal Democrats are "the only party speaking for business and the majority of Britons on the key issue at this election."

The Liberal Democrats have launched their manifesto plans today for a brighter future, with pledges to reverse Conservative cuts and increase funding for the NHS, schools and police.

The Party’s landmark policy would give the people the final say on the Brexit deal which would include the option to remain in the EU.

The Liberal Democrats would put a penny on income tax for health and care, which would raise £58m for the NHS in Dorset, enough to fund 345 more nurses.

An additional £26m of funding for schools in Bournemouth, paid for in part by reversing Conservative cuts to corporation tax, would be enough to pay for 145 more teachers.

Meanwhile an additional £2.4m funding for Dorset Police would pay for 48 more officers, helping to cut crime and ensure a stronger police presence in the area.

Today, Tim Farron launched the Liberal Democrat Manifesto:

Today, as the Lib Dem leader, I am immensely proud to launch our 2017 manifesto: Change Britain’s Future.

Over the past few weeks we’ve been working tirelessly – speaking to the public, analysing costs, fine-tuning our priorities – to bring you a single blueprint for a better Britain.

This momentous new manifesto sets out our hopes and plans for an open, tolerant and united country. From defending our place in Europe, to protecting universal human rights, to building a greener economy, it encapsulates our positive vision for the future.

Read the full manifesto

The Liberal Democrats have announced plans to address the housing shortage in Bournemouth and build more affordable homes.

There are currently 4,481 families in Bournemouth on a waiting list for council homes, up from 3,782 last year.

In addition, official figures show 673 homes in Bournemouth have been empty for over six months.

Lib Dem candidates for Bournemouth East and West, Jon Nicholas and Phil Dunn, recently wrote to the Bournemouth Echo regarding UKIP's endorsement of the Conservative candidate for Bournemouth West, Conor Burns. 

The full text of the letter is as follows: 

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will invest £26.3 million more in schools and colleges in Bournemouth over the next parliament.

The funding for Bournemouth would reverse cuts to frontline school and college budgets, protect per pupil funding in real terms and ensure no school loses out from changes to funding arrangements.

The Liberal Democrats have announced they would plug funding gaps for the NHS and social care by putting a penny on income tax, in their first major manifesto commitment of the election campaign.

The tax would raise an additional £65.2 million for Bournemouth and Dorset, with £58 million for Dorset NHS and £7.2 million for social care in Bournemouth each year.