Graham reports back from Friends of Scholes Park meeting
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by Lib Dem team on 18 April, 2017
People in Cheadle should vote for the Liberal Democrats to prevent a hard Brexit and protect the local economy, Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate Mark Hunter has said today.
The Prime Minister today [Tuesday] called a snap General Election to be held on the 8th June.
The Liberal Democrats are standing on a clear platform to prevent a hard Brexit by staying in the Single Market, and to give the British people the final say on the Brexit deal through a referendum.
Mark Hunter commented:
“This election is a huge opportunity for voters in Cheadle to change the direction of our country and prevent a disastrous hard Brexit.
“People in Cheadle voted decisively to remain in the EU, and certainly did not vote for the extreme form of Brexit that Theresa May has imposed on us after being backed by Labour.
“For all those who want to protect our local economy by staying in the Single Market and ensure the people have the final say over what comes next, this is your chance.
“The Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to the Conservative Brexit Government and the only party fighting for a Britain that is open, tolerant and united.”
13 Comments
I will be honest here. I was appalled at the lurch to the right by the Lib Dems during the Clegg leadership years and, frankly, it stuck in my throat to vote for them at the last election. I said I would not vote for them again and would transfer my hopes for the future to the Greens, who also campaign for an open, fair society.
However, I see the greater need for an alliance of prgressive forces – it is the only way we can beat another really damaging Tory government. I also know Mark Hunter to be a “good bloke” who has helped me on more than one occasion and represented the interests of the constituency well. So, with some reluctance again, he’ll get my vote. Needs must, you see.
“This election is a huge opportunity for voters in Cheadle to change the direction of our country and prevent a disastrous hard Brexit.
Why would people who accept the vote want to change the democratic will of the majority. I voted to stay but was not upset by the majority vote ,nothing has changed for me apart from the fact that LD policy is forcing me to vote Tory for the first time.
Hi Ian,
Three simple reasons:
1. What Theresa May is doing is not what was voted for. Every Leave promise is being broken.
2. I don’t believe democracy ended on 24th June 2016. If the people got to vote on the principle of leaving the EU, we should also get to vote on the final deal.
3. I care about my country and I don’t want to see British people poorer and Britain weaker. That wasn’t what Leave promised, but it’s looking more and more like what’s going to happen, and in a democracy the people should have a say on that.
Iain – I voted to leave – period. ‘Soft brexit’ is a euphemism for remaining in the EU . Remember your party wanted us to join the Euro and what a catastrophe that would have been for the UK.
Remember the new year broadcasts from the party leaders? Your leader was across the channel which says everything about the Libdems – you are more European than British.
“you are more European than British.”
I like to think I can have several different cultural identities, depending on circumstance.
I’m happy to be regarded as European, British, English, Northwestern, Cestrian and Mancunian. And always a Manchester City supporter.
As for political allegiance? Yes, I have more in common with the policies of the Slovakian Green Party than the British Conservatives.
Iain,
Like you I am passionate about my country . I voted to remain but not surprised to see the result went the other way. Accept it..I cannot see any strong reason why it will not work and to make it work we need a strong leader with a positive outlook and that is not Corbyn or Farron it is Theresa May. I have ALWAYS voted LD in the 30 odd years I have lived in Cheadle so will vote Tory with a heavy heart but knowing I am doing the right thing.
We had a vote over the EU and the Brexit vote won the day, let’s be democratic and get on with leaving ,We are leaving and need a Goverment that respects Brexit, that’s why unfortunately Mark Hunter despite being a good candidate will not be elected.
The Liberal Democrats need to be democratic and respect the Brexit Vote
Brexit is happening. Let’s get on with it. Maintaining existing access to the single market is unrealistic. However the market that is Europe will still be there and we will continue to do business with them after Brexit. I think the European union is probably going to fracture anyway so we will be ahead of the game.
Mr Hunter will not get elected on his “Brexit Ticket”
Count me as one vote lost.
What’s the stay in Europe campaign for? We had a referendum, we’re out, so all this hot air about hard and soft brexit is really nonsense. We (the UK) need a strong leadership right now to deal with the non-elected dictators running Europe in order to get the best deal we can. This may be hard, it may not. Nothing against Mark, he did a lot as MP, but it’s more important to have a a strong leader/government than not right now.
No one has defined what Brexit means least of all Mrs May. What she wants is a blank cheque from the electorate whilst giving away nothing on what her ultimate aim save it will not include membership of the single market and customs union.
As 50% of our trade is with the single market then this is potentially extremely damaging.
Every candidate needs to answer the simple question “is leaving the EU the only issue – no matter how bad the terms might be – or no terms at all , leaving is all that matters – yes or no”.
Yes is what May wants – a blank cheque. However bad the outcome that’s it.
No – the electorate will judge what is delivered and have the final say. If its a good deal (ie not disruptive to our economy – preserves sensible migration in both directions etc) then the electorate will presumably confirm the exit – otherwise we can send the Government back to do better.
The LibDems have confirmed this sensible approach and deserve support just for this one issue.
Frederick
I agree with you – this election must not be just about the seemingly simple act of leaving the EU.
It is also about the government’s intentions once we have left. I entirely believe cabinet minister Priti Patel when she spoke to the Institute of Directots in June last year saying that leaving offered the opportunity to halve the social and employment regulations that are guaranteed by EU legislation. Now we all know what that means – it means dramatically reducing the protection workers have against being forced to work excessive hours, right to parental leave, etc. It will be the weakest and worst off members of our society who will be at the very sharp end of this.
I have no doubt that the Tory Party is currently in the grip of its hard right “Little Englander” group. Their agenda is much wider than simply leaving the EU. We should all be worried about their vision for Britain’s future, as a low wage, low regulation, off-shore tax haven for multi-nationals. These are, frankly, very, very dangerous times when we are walking away from our neighbours in Europe and, most probably, into the arms of President Trump.
By co-incidence, last night I listened to Billy Bragg’s 1985 song “Between the Wars” and realised just how appropriate it still is. Here’s a couple of lines from the song:-
“I kept the faith and I kept voting
Not for the iron fist but for the helping hand
For theirs is a land with a wall around it
And mine is a faith in my fellow man
Theirs is a land of hope and glory
Mine is the green field and the factory floor”
I heard enough from Mark Hunter and his mainly self serving campaign last time – I used to think he was ok, but regrettably he just toed the party line to protect his job and his income. I certainly will not be voting for him this time round