A sign of the Liberal Democrat ambition for the next general election
A striking sign of how ambitious the Liberal Democrats are being is the expanding range of seats the party is contesting seriously, going deep into territory that is Remain-leaning but with high profile Leave MPs.
In this case, a seat which the best estimates put at voting 61% Remain but has high-profile Leave supporter Graham Brady as its MP. It’s going to be fought by Angela Smith:
EXCL: I understand Labour defector MP (now Lib Dem) @angelasmithmp will attempt to unseat former 1922 ctte chair Sir Graham Brady in Altrincham and Sale West at the next election.
She will NOT stand in her current Yorkshire constituency of Penistone & Stocksbridge. pic.twitter.com/RPehPDkSyz
— Joe Pike (@joepike) October 11, 2019
Angela Smith says: ‘Me and the @LibDems are confident we stand an excellent chance of winning the seat.’
The Altrincham constituency leans Remain and Sir Graham Brady is pro-Brexit.
— Joe Pike (@joepike) October 11, 2019
MRP modelling in action… they've got a chance there. https://t.co/XKCjFrMSGJ
— Glen O'Hara (@gsoh31) October 11, 2019
The mistake everyone is making is using 2017 as their starting point for likely outcomes. LDs likely to win a good few from 3rd place
— Paula Surridge (@p_surridge) October 11, 2019
There was a v big swing away from Cons in Brady's seat in 2017, which is becoming steadily less Con friendly demographically (lots of younger, socially liberal professionals who broke heavily Lab in 2017; might break LD next time) https://t.co/leZgaT8n6T
— Rob Ford (@robfordmancs) October 11, 2019
Angela Smith’s move has been welcomed by Jane Brophy, who stood in Altrincham and Sale West in the last three general elections. Brophy is now one of two Liberal Democrat MEPs for the North West, a councillor in the constituency and leader of the group on Trafford Council.
She said:
I am delighted that Angela Smith will be running for the Liberal Democrats in Altrincham and Sale West. Since defecting to the Lib Dems earlier this year, Angela has already taken a leading role in our fight to stop Brexit.
She is resilient, dedicated, passionately pro-European and I can’t wait to help get her elected as the newest Liberal Democrat MP in the North West.
Altrincham and Sale West is a Remain constituency being represented by a Brexiteer and the Chair of the 1922 Committee. The people of Trafford deserve better and only the Liberal Democrats will Demand Better.
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I don’t like the term ‘defector’ it has all the negative tones to it.. suggestions please..?
enlightened
conversion
promoted
transfer
acquired by
I see I am slipping into football transfer terminology, but there is a similarity
Tend to dislike the word ‘defect’ from one party, rather than join a party that now better represents their beliefs,
BADY or BRADY? Please the former.
Hah 🙂
“transitioned”.
It’s a life-changing event, the leaving of one tribe for another.
Evolved…