“Climate change is happening now. We need to face the music” – Liberal Democrat Charlie Murphy to represent Portsmouth South at the General Election
Local campaigner Charlie Murphy will stand to represent Portsmouth South for the Liberal Democrats at the next election.
Charlie, who is from Stamshaw and works in housing and construction, has lived in the city for 20 years.
On news of his selection, Charlie said:
“I am thrilled to represent the city where I grew up. I am standing because I am fed up with our city being taken for granted. With each of the crises we’ve seen over the past decade, Portsmouth has been hit hard.
I’m sick of our city being an afterthought. From dentists right up to QA Hospital our NHS is broken and needs more doctors and nurses trained locally. The botched Conservative Brexit deal is damaging our port and our relationship with Europe is in need of repair. The cost-of-living is pushing hard-working people into poverty across the city, all while the Conservatives cut vital funds such as the Household Support Fund which must be ringfenced. The list goes on and on, it just feels like nothing works anymore.
As an island city, we are uniquely exposed to the effects of climate change. Our country needs a clear plan to fight climate change, but the Conservatives are approving new oil and gas drilling, and Labour have already broken their promise on green investment.”
Charlie also talked about his plan to focus on the environment and climate change:
“Climate change is happening now. We need to face the music. Water companies are turning local rivers into open sewers which flow into the Solent and pollute our beaches. Worse yet, Conservative MPs have voted to let them continue. In the same week when we learn our planet has exceeded 1.5C of warming for a year, Labour scrapped on their promise to invest in green energy and technology.
Both Labour and the Conservatives are asleep at the wheel while we approach an environmental catastrophe.”
On the Liberal Democrats’ record of delivery at Portsmouth City Council, Charlie said:
“Across our city, people elect hard-working Liberal Democrats to represent them. Despite the Conservative Government bankrupting councils across the country, the Liberal Democrats have protected the city’s finances with responsible management.
Shoring up our city’s finances has not stopped Liberal Democrat councillors from delivering for the city. Portsmouth now enjoys improved bus services with simpler fares, more funding for public transport improvements, a new GP surgery and swimming pool in Eastney, more green jobs and less pollution at our International Port, and huge progress towards a climate-resilient seafront with the new sea defences.
People in Portsmouth know that Labour and the Conservatives playing politics in Westminster doesn’t help them. Instead, they elect local Liberal Democrats who work hard for them all year round.”
Members of the Portsmouth Liberal Democrat Party have selected local campaigner Simon Dodd to represent the party at the next General Election in Portsmouth North.
