Labour accepts that realistically they can’t win in Central Devon
On Friday 8th the Labour Party published a list of their ‘non-battleground’ seats giving the clearest indication yet they accept they cannot unseat Central Devon’s Conservative MP.
“For some while opinion polls have been indicating that Central Devon’s Conservative MP, Mel Stride, could face his own ‘Portillo Moment’ at the General Election,” said Mark Wooding, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate. “There is, though, no evidence Labour can beat him, and Labour HQ have now acknowledged this.
“Since May I have been saying that only the Liberal Democrats offer an alternative to Mr. Stride. Liberal Democrats hold 19 District Councillor seats in comparison to the Conservatives’ 16. We also polled just 2% behind the Conservatives in terms of votes cast. Labour have no councillors and trailed in fourth on votes cast.
“We have an electoral system that forces people to vote tactically if they want to see change. That is unfair, but I’d ask Labour and Green Party supporters to lend me their votes when the election comes.
“Of course there are also many unhappy Conservative voters unsure how to vote, who may be tempted to support whoever leads the Conservatives into the election. But I ask them do you want, as Central Devon’s MP, a person who may get dragged into the Conservative Party’s post-election squabbles and infighting, and so be unable to represent our constituency fully?
“My priority is to offer a strong, local voice on the issues that face us here in Devon. It is increasingly clear that rural communities face ever more problems with health, mental and dental services, housing, transport and roads, and education. Our farmers, who are the conerstone of our local economy, are now in serious crisis and are crying out for support. I promise I will focus on the issues facing our local communities. For too long Devon has been taken for granted, it really is time to change that.”
Liberal Democrat, Alex White has won the by-election caused by the resignation of former Conservative Councillor Stuart Penny for a Mid Devon District Councillor to represent the ward of Upper Yeo & Taw.
