A new Guardian article suggests the Liberal Democrats' strong performance in the local elections means its strategy of concentrating campaigning on key seats may deliver gains from the Conservatives at the coming general election.
It quotes the party's leader, Ed Davey, on a visit to Dorset, where we took control of the council after gaining 13 wards from the Tories:
"This victory in Dorset is an historic and stunning result for the Liberal Democrats,” he said. “People here in Dorset and right across the country are fed up with this chaotic and out-of-touch Conservative government and they’re voting for change with the Liberal Democrats. ...
"After our victory in Somerset two years ago and our stunning successes in Devon last year, this win in Dorset confirms that the Liberal Democrats are back in the West Country and will be the main challengers to Conservative MPs here whenever the general election is called."
4 comments:
Our result in the PCC election for Devon & Cornwall - 42,000 votes behind Labour - does not tend to support Ed's optimism, sadly.
I think it is important to note their were local elections in Plymouth And Exeter were labour did well and labour supporters were likely to vote for both. But in much of devon (baring 4 by-elections - which Lib Dem’s won 3 Tories held the 4th labour did poorly in all) and the whole of Cornwall the only elections were the PCC which the Lib Dem’s did not fight strongly locally, or nationally and turnout was low. The general election will be very different.
We need to complain more and in courts if necessary about the pathetic coverage we get in all media outlets. Devon was a good result and must be built on. Labour are shouting about attacking the Blue Wall. Does that put us in the firing line? If so we will have to do something about it. The next Election, GENERAL ELECTION will be different from the locals. As a result it is time to SELL our National Policies. To show where we stand out from others.
Devon and Cornwall Liberal Democrats
Published by Adrian Sanders ·
2 days ago
·
Liberal Democrats in the South West celebrate local election successes – Lib Dems best placed to deliver change in this region
Liberal Democrats in the South West are celebrating local election successes in areas that will form key battleground contests at the General Election.
Liberal Democrats gained a seat from the Green Party on Torridge District Council by a clear majority of 127 votes over Labour in second, the Greens in third and Conservatives in fourth.
The party also held its seat in Tavistock North Ward on West Devon Borough Council, defeating the Conservatives by 39 votes with the Greens in third and Labour in fourth.
Both wins fall in the parliamentary constituency of Torridge and West Devon where the Liberal Democrats came second to the Tories in 2019 having previously held the seat until 2005.
There was also a strong Liberal Democrat hold in a crowded field in the Ashburton and Buckfastleigh by-election on Teignbridge DC following the sad death of Huw Cox. The by-election falls in the parliamentary constituency of Central Devon.
Adrian Sanders, Chair of Devon and Cornwall Liberal Democrats, said it was clear that support for the party was growing in key parliamentary seats across the region.
He said: “The strongest message from electors nationally is a call for change. In the South West it is the Liberal Democrats who are best placed to deliver that change.”
Liberal Democrats also saw increasing support in the Police and Crime Commissioner election in Devon and Cornwall which saw the Conservative candidate re-elected on a reduced share of the vote.
The Conservative polled 43% of the vote compared to 50% just three years ago. Labour increased its share from 20 to 35% and Steve Lodge the Liberal Democrat saw an increase from 18 to 22 %. There was no Green candidate this time. Turnout in the PCC election was low outside Labour's Plymouth and Exeter strongholds where there were local elections on the same day.
Adrian Sanders added: “On behalf of the region, I would like to thank all our candidates in these local and PCC elections for their hard work in representing the party and delivering for voters at all levels.”
Post a Comment