Southport MP battle hots up as Greens rule out deal



The Green Party has selected Laurence Rankin as their parliamentary candidate for Southport after ruling out any election deal with rival parties.

With the possibility of a snap poll looming, members of the Sefton Green Party voted against a repeat of their “progressive alliance” stance of 2017 when they took their name off the ballot in Southport and urged supporters to lend their vote to the party best-placed to beat the Conservatives.

Laurence, who has lived in Southport for more than 30 years and is a retired Environment Agency manager, said: ““The Greens share a positive vision for the future based on a sustainable environment, secure health and social care, and sensible economics that work for people rather than speculators.

“Our precious environment and green spaces are being lost to development, and, ironically, while we enjoy a coastline with fantastic renewable energy potential, we have the threat of Fracking on our doorstep.

“Southport suffers with many other places the burden of austerity, which has decimated local services and could get worse after Brexit. More than ever a vote for the Greens is the only way to secure a sustainable future for all.

“The two main political parties remain in total disarray and division over Brexit, and we need to ensure a People’s Vote on any deal that comes out of the shambolic negotiations currently being pursued by the Government.”

In 2015 the Green Party polled 1,230 votes which if repeated would make Southport’s marginal MP race even more tight.

Laurence defended the Party against accusations that they were playing into Conservative hands by saying no party had a monopoly on democracy and it was right that people have the chance to vote for what they believe in.

“Many Labour and Lib Dem voters tell us they agree with everything we stand for,” Lawrence added. “There’s even been a few (very shy) former Tories joining us because they’re concerned at the way the country is going, especially the way the environment is being sold off and sacrificed.,”

“To all people who care about Southport we say vote with your conscience.”