Pugh: I will not stand in election
SOUTHPORT MP John Pugh will not be standing to keep his seat in the general election on June 8. A spokesman for MP Pugh confirmed that the Liberal Democrat politician would not be standing again.
Yesterday, as the Visiter went to press, MPs voted on whether to hold a snap election on June 8.
Theresa May gave a surprise statement on the steps of Number 10 Downing Street on Tuesday morning, where she announced her intentions to hold an early election.
The Prime Minister needed Parliament’s backing to hold a vote before the next scheduled election date of 2020 under the Fixed Term Parliament Act.
Mr Pugh confirmed that he would support the motion, voting with the Government in calling for an early election.
After 16 years as Southport’s representative in Parliament, it is understood that the MP was planning on standing down in May, but that Mrs May’s shock announcement forced his hand.
Despite voting in favour of the election, Mr Pugh criticised Mrs May’s decision to bring forward the general election.
He said: “This is a piece of desperate and chaotic opportunism from the Conservatives which will create greater instability.
“I am confident though that the good people of Southport who make up their own minds will stick with the Liberal Democrats again.”