MORE readers’ reports from and about your constituencies, on the choice of candidates you have, which of them you plan to vote for and why – what you think of their chances – and your stance on Brexit. See below for how to submit your own report.
SOMERTON AND FROME, Somerset
Current MP: David Warburton (Conservative)
A constituent writes: Although returned in 2017 with a stonking 22,906 votes against his nearest Lib Dem rival, polling 13,325, our MP David Warburton and the local party are far from complacent. Created in 1983 from parts of the seat of Wells, traditionally this part of the West Country has been a Lib Dem stronghold and once again the ‘yellow peril’ poses a real threat. If the Brexit Party field a candidate, it may well split the Leave vote and Jo Swinson’s party of illiberal anti-democrats could regain the seat they last held in 2015.
David Warburton is an extremely hard-working and approachable MP, supporting small businesses and campaigning vigorously for improved infrastructure and local connectivity, as well supporting Somerset cider and the potential removal of the UK duty exemption for small producers, which is of huge significance to them.
Although he voted Leave in the EU Referendum, I parted company with him when he voted for Mrs May’s atrocious WA because it would have subjected this country to EU laws without a veto over many areas. However, I fully support him in backing Boris’s deal: it is a path out of the EU and although full of potholes, it does not stop Brexit. It will be meaningless unless the Tories form a majority government. To do this they must prevent haemorrhaging seats to the so-called Lib Dems or the country faces the horrendous prospect of Comrade Corbynov in Downing Street backed by a cabal of leftie loons. That is why I shall be voting for David Warburton on 12 December.
DONCASTER CENTRAL
Sitting MP: Rosie Winterton (Labour)
Alan Gray writes: My intention is to vote for the Brexit Party candidate, Surjit Singh Duhre.
I have voted Labour all my life but never again. The Brexit Party is a breath of fresh air away from those lying MPs who have been voted in by saying they supported Brexit. Time to drain the swamp.
AYLESBURY
Current MP: David Lidington (Conservative)
Paulski writes: Aylesbury is my constituency which incorporates most of the town, although bizarrely some of Aylesbury itself is in the Buckingham constituency.
David Lidington has been in post since 1992. He is stepping down this time and no doubt there is a huge fight to take on this rock solid Conservative seat. Indeed a ‘safe seat somewhere in the Home Counties’ was allegedly offered to Richard Tice of the Brexit Party, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this was it.
Lidington’s support of Remain went against the party locally. Lidington himself has held various high ranking roles in government.
The town itself has elected councillors of all parties and in UKIP we had much success in both the middle-class private housing areas and the council estates. Aylesbury has a relatively high employment rate and relatively cheaper housing compared with towns closer to London and thus has many commuters to the capital. It also still has the 11+ system and three grammar schools, and this is hugely popular with parents.
The area voted virtually 50/50 in the referendum although Aylesbury itself was probably 60/40 Leave. UKIP came second in 2015 and the Labour vote grew in 2017.
Most of the UKIP vote in 2015 seemed to leak away to the Labour Party although a good Brexit Party candidate should pull some back. The Liberal Democrat vote was low last time although will be much higher this time.
There is no chance this seat will change hands, though, whoever the Conservative Party choose.
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