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 – don’t just leave it below the line.
BOGNOR REGIS AND LITTLEHAMPTON
Current MP for over 20 years: Nick Gibb (Conservative)
John Lewis writes: Despite being a relatively impoverished constituency, the high proportion of retirees is instrumental in ensuring that the proverbial ‘pig with a blue rosette’ will be elected.
The Rt Hon Nick Gibb is a staunch remainer and loyal party man who has been rewarded with a series of ministerial appointments. He once advised me in writing that David Cameron was a good and honourable man. TCW readers will be only too aware of his often-stated pride in our education system which continues to deteriorate under his stewardship. As a constituency MP he wastes valuable time and money by replying to all queries on HoC letterheaded paper spouting party boilerplate but largely failing to address the issues raised. He does not appreciate being reminded that his constituency voted leave. It will take something special to lever him out but we can dream.
STROUD
Current MP: David Drew (Labour)
Ben Keyte writes: Since the formation of the Brexit Party, I have followed their progress with keen interest and it wasn’t until I met their candidate, Desi Latimer, that I finally made up my mind to vote for them, ultimately favouring her over the Conservative candidate, Siobhan Baillie.
Desi is from Manila but has lived in the UK off and on for 30 years with her husband and daughter.
She has had a busy and fruitful working life and has her own company which deals at a multinational level with tidal power. She has had a lot of experience dealing with Europe and knows more than anyone why being a member of the European Union is a massive stumbling block to getting on with business and securing British interests first.
She comes from a technical background and is used to giving technical lectures and she is finding making the transition to politics easy, even though she has a good understanding of politics and the political system already. She has a great personality, warm and inclusive, and masses of reasons to stand for the Brexit Party in Stroud. The key thing here is that unlike most (career) politicians she has already made a success of herself in her working life and this typifies most of the Brexit Party’s MEPs and candidates for Parliament.
These are the reasons why I am voting for Desi Latimer and the Brexit Party in Stroud.
WIMBLEDON
Current MP: Stephen Hammond (Conservative)
John O’Sullivan writes: With the Whip restored, Hammond was reselected by the local Conservative Association members last week.
Although he was heavily criticised by some attendees there was clearly insufficient time to select an alternative candidate.
The demographics of Wimbledon (see democraticdashboard.com) should make it a safe Conservative seat. Despite this, Labour (Eddy Casale, then a teacher at KCS Wimbledon) was elected twice before Hammond won maybe 20 years ago. Hammond is not especially popular and in 2017 had a 5.6 per cent reduced majority of 5,622 in a 77.2 per cent turnout.
The Brexit party has a candidate whose nomination papers were already in before Hammond was reselected. If some Labour voters defect to LibDem and Brexiteer Tories go to TBP then Remainer (70 per cent), predominantly white home-owning Wimbledon could well see Hammond lose to the LibDems, who have never won here. Or will fear of Corbyn see Hammond get back?
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