Tim Farron and Brexit (High Peak Liberal Democrats)

Tim Farron and Brexit

January 19, 2017 3:32 PM
By Cllr John Marriott - Lincoln, Sleaford and North Hykeham
Originally published by South Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats

In his article (18/1/17) Tim Farron uses recent parliamentary by elections to make his point.

He may be right about what happened in pro remain Richmond Park; but he fails to draw the same conclusion from the Sleaford and North Hykeham by election a week later. The same tactics used there at least enabled the Lib Dems to leapfrog Labour but failed to dent the large pro Brexit vote achieved by the Tories and UKIP candidates? It will be interesting to see what tactics are employed in the upcoming Copeland and Stoke on Trent Central by elections, which would appear also to be in pro Brexit areas.

There is a saying "Wake up and smell the coffee". I only hope that Lib Dem candidates in the May local elections don't spend all their time arguing about a second referendum and concentrate instead on local issues. Their time would be better spent arguing for a reform of local government finance and structure, which are desperately needed.

In or out of Europe, we need to grasp this nettle in England if democratic local government is to have a viable future.

Yours,

Cllr John Marriott

18 St Hugh's Drive,

North Hykeham,

Lincoln LN6 8RD

John is Member for Hykeham Forum Division on Lincolnshire County Council