Lib Dem local Simon Dodd to represent Portsmouth North at the General Election

Members of the Portsmouth Liberal Democrat Party have selected local campaigner Simon Dodd to represent the party at the next General Election.

On news of his selection, Simon said: 

“I am delighted to be selected to represent the city where I live. I am standing because I am fed up with our city and country being taken for granted. With each of the crises we’ve seen over the past decade, local residents have been hit hard.  

I’m fed up of the mess that the Conservatives have created across the city and the whole country. The NHS is broken, and QA hospital is regularly overwhelmed - we need more nurses, doctors and dentists in the city. The botched Conservative Brexit deal is damaging our port and our relationship with Europe needs repairing. Rishi's recession and the ongoing cost-of-living is pushing hard-working people into poverty across the city. Raw sewage is regularly being pumped into the sea and local harbours thanks to the Conservative government's failure to act. And instead of acting, the Conservative government just fight amongst themselves.

It's time for a change, and it's time to throw the Conservatives out. 

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.” 

 Focusing in particular on the effects of climate change, Simon commented on the failure of both Labour and the Conservatives to properly focus on the environment and climate change: 

“We live in England's only island city, meaning we're on the front-line when facing the effects of climate change. However, the Conservatives are approving new oil and gas drilling, which will only speed up climate change, and will not address energy security concerns.

And now, the Labour party have u-turned on their promise to properly invest in green energy and technology. This will mean we will fall even further behind the EU and US

However, locally, our Liberal Democrat-run council are prioritising policies to address climate change - from introducing plug-in shore power for ships visiting the council-owned port, to investing in solar panels for council buildings.” 

 Celebrating the Liberal Democrats’ record of delivery on Portsmouth City Council, Simon said: 

“Across our city, local residents have continued to elect hard-working Liberal Democrats to represent them. Despite the Conservative Government bankrupting councils across the country, Portsmouth Liberal Democrats have protected the city’s finances with responsible management, and continue to invest in our great city.

Thanks to the Liberal Democrats, Portsmouth now enjoys hugely improved bus services, new sports facilities, investment in our council-owned port, new household food waste recycling, and delivering new sea defences all around the city to protect from rising sea levels. 

It's time to throw the Conservative government out, and only the Liberal Democrats can be trusted to deliver for Portsmouth residents. With our record of delivering locally, just think what we could achieve nationally.”