Lib Dems line up their May poll hopefuls
THE Liberal Democrat Party has revealed its line-up for May’s local elections in Southport.
Three new faces are among the candidates, while two current councillors are seeking re-election to their existing wards and two are seeking election in different wards to those they currently represent.
The group revealed its candidates as the national party held its spring conference in Southport. deputy leader of the party Jo Swinson MP took time to launch the Southport Lib Dems’ local elections campaign alongside the group leader and former MP, Cllr John Pugh.
Ms Swinson said: “The local team have been working incredibly hard for people here in Southport for a long time. Just this morning they were out helping to collect litter on Southport beach, that’s real community politics.”
Cllr Pugh, who was elected to Dukes Ward after a by-election in November, said: “We have a mixture of youth and experience among this year’s candidates, but every single one of them is committed to their community, to making a difference and fighting for our town.”
He added: “What we saw in November is that people feel that Southport isn’t getting the service it deserves, either from the Labourrun Sefton Council, or from its new Tory MP.
“It’s time to give Southport its voice back, and that’s what electing Lib Dem councillors in May will do.”
Those seeking re-election to their current wards are Birkdale’s Cllr Iain Brodie-Brown, who recently served as Mayor of Sefton, and Cllr Fred Weavers, who is seeking his fifth term in Kew.
Meanwhile, Cllr Jo Barton, who represents the Meols ward, will seek election in Dukes ward; and the Southport group’s deputy leader, Cllr Daniel Lewis, who represents Norwood, will stand in Meols.
The new candidates are NHS nurse Jude Storer (Ainsdale), Peter Blake (Norwood) and Leo Evans (Cambridge). Mr Evans is aiming to replace Cllr Sue McGuire, the party’s Southport parliamentary candidate in last year’s general election, who has been a councillor in Cambridge ward for 12 years, but plans to move away from the area.
This year’s local elections will take place on Thursday, May 3.