I’ve learned this evening that after much delay, the Liberal Democrats have selected Richard Gadsden as their prospective candidate for Worsley & Eccles South.
I’ve not met Richard but he seems to be an amiable enough chap - but like Gordon Brown’s Labour MP he is not local. Richard hails from St Helens, where he stood in the local elections in 2008, coming home in third place in Billinge and Seneley Green ward.
Local people across Worsley & Eccles South constituency have been taken from granted, and their views have not been listened to by Labour. Residents need someone who understands their concerns – only by voting for me can they get a representative in Westminster who will stand up for them.
There are no Liberal Democrat Councillors in the constituency, of course, and the LibDems start from a very poor third place whichever figures you look at. Local people have a clear choice – five more years of Gordon Brown, or a fresh start with a local Conservative MP.
After much delay? The announcement comes about 5 minutes after the Conservatives selected Mathew Sephton as the Tory candidate for Salford & Eccles and hot on the heels of Tory Cllr Alex Williams selection for Trafford & Urmston.
We’ve had Lib Dem candidates announced in those constituencys for many months – what took you so long?
As we’re pointing out where candidates “hail from”, I loved the fact that when you announced Mathew’s selection, your material stated “he lives in the city centre” without stating which one! Brilliant bit of spin! Well played.
(for the uninitiated, Mathew Sephton lives in Manchester City Centre)
Steve – Richard announced that he was likely to be the candidate back in October – see here – so given he was on a shortlist of one, what took so long.
As for our candidates, Matthew has been working in Salford & Eccles for well over a year now as part of our City Seats team, and you’ll be well aware that we’ve had a candidate in place in Stretford & Urmston for over two years, but he sadly had to step down due to personal circumstances.
Manchester and Salford city centres are continuous, indeed most planning guidance now refers to them as one entity (the “regional centre”). Matt is certainly a local candidate, and a very good one at that.
Surely, Iain, you’re not advocating that Salford is merely Manchester part 2. While the Labour council seem happy to erode key areas of Salford and place them in Manchester, I’m astonished that you/the Tories would think this a good idea!
Your candidate is not local, it’s no good pretending he is.
Clearly the Tories have no hope in Salford & Eccles, nor any support, which explained why you had to parachute in a paper candidate from outside the constituency.
Matt is an excellent local candidate with support across the constituency – which is why despite being recently selected he’s already level-pegging with Norman Owen at the bookies.
Steve as the Lib Dem vote is now split between different candidates, its clear Matt is the only alternative to five more years of Gordon Brown’s candidate Hazel Blears.
I can’t see how the Lib Dem vote would be split – there is only one Liberal Democrat candidate and that is Norman Owen. Norman is the only real challenger to Blears – I’m sure Matt is a nice guy, but if he claims third spot, he should be thrilled with his result.
“five more years of Gordon Brown, or a fresh start with a local Conservative MP.”
Shouldn’t this read “five more years of Barbara Keeley” ? The more your party focuses on Gordon Brown alone, the more you ignore the fact that you are up against some formidable constituency candidates.
If you’re so keen on appearing ‘local’, get over the Gord issue.
There’s very little local about Barbara Keeley MP.