The Lichfield Liberal Democrats have selected Morag Maclean to stand in the December 11 by-election to replace former Conservative District Councillor Nikki Hawkins, who recently resigned her seat. Cllr Hawkins had failed to attend enough council meetings to keep her seat, and accordingly resigned.
Morag, who lived for 21 years in Handsacre, says, “I maintained my links and have many friends there, who keep me informed of local issues.
“I have been told of anti-social behaviour, speeding cars and electric bicycles, and dogs fouling public paths, among other matters affecting the lives of residents.
“These are all issues where if I am elected I will, working together with the Lib Dem councillors already in place and reaching across the aisle to other parties, do my best to solve these problems.”
Cllr Paul Ray, leader of the Lib Dems in Lichfield District Council, comments, “We are delighted that Morag has volunteered to help us by agreeing to stand as a candidate. She will help us to build on our platform of local successes, many of which have solved precisely the kind of problem that she mentions. Speeding boy racers have plagued parts of our district, but thanks to our work with the police, this is less of a problem that it was.
“Morag also mentioned that the Lib Dems’ united opposition in Full Council to the gift of £1.7 million to the owners of the Botanist chain has not gone unnoticed. Like us, residents of the Armitage with Handsacre ward find this to be a wrong use of residents’ money. The Conservative and Labour councillors voted for this, including the Conservative councillors for Armitage with Handsacre.
The Lib Dems stand up for you, and as a councillor Morag would join the active and established Lib Dem group in campaigning on behalf of residents.”
Cllr Hugh Ashton, acting as election agent for Morag, points out, “This election is the first where Reform UK have had an extended opportunity to show their competence and expertise in Staffordshire. We say that both at a county and a district level, they have not lived up to their promises.
“Nationally, the Liberal Democrats have become the main opposition to Reform UK – collecting more votes in recent by-elections than the Labour, Conservative and Green parties combined. Lib Dems have won more local by-elections in October this year than any other party. Ed Davey’s words, ‘Farage and Reform UK are spreading fear and division. The Liberal Democrats are the only ones standing up to them AND beating them,’ have struck chords with voters in Moseley, Bromsgrove and many other places, where Liberal Democrats have won decisive victories. We hope that the residents of Armitage with Handsacre will see things the same way.”
