Whenever the General Election comes we want to make sure there are Lib Dem candidates in all the new constituencies across Tameside.
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The Liberal Democrats have delivered another shocking blow to the Conservative government by winning in Somerton and Frome.
Sarah Dyke overturned a Conservative majority of 19,213.
Sarah (right) with Wera Hobhouse MP and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey MP.
Sarah polled 21,187 votes, winning a majority of 11,008 with a swing of 29%.
The extraordinary efforts of Liberal Democrat members and volunteers delivered this historic result, securing the largest majority and swing on an explosive triple byelection night which saw the Conservatives lose 2 of the 3 seats they were fighting desperately to defend.
The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for the country. Enough is Enough. It is time for a general election to end this Conservative circus.
The Boundary Commission have produced their final report giving the new constituencies on which the next General Election will be fought.
For the last few elections, in Tameside borough area the Westminster MP seats have been Ashton-Under-Lyne, Denton & Reddish, and Stalybridge & Hyde.
A lot changes locally and the borough will now cover the revised seats of Ashton-Under-Lyne, Gorton & Denton, and Stalybridge & Hyde.
Broadly the changes from the old constituencies are:
The new Ashton seat takes in most of the old one plus a chunk of Denton & Reddish.
The new Gorton & Denton seat, as you might guess, puts together about half the old Denton seat, a big lump of Manchester Gorton, and even some of Manchester Withington – where the Lib Dems held the MP seat 2005 – 2015.
And the new Stalybridge & Hyde covers the same area as the old one.
The General Election has to be held no later than January 2025.
“We are mourning a profound loss.
The Queen was a formidable monarch, who faithfully served our country for all her life and was loved the world over.” – Ed Davey.
Our third parliamentary byelection GAIN this parliament – six months on from North Shropshire and almost exactly a year to the day since won took Chesham & Amersham from the Conservatives.
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The Witney by-election yesterday, caused by the resignation of David Cameron as local MP, saw a swing from the Conservatives to the Lib Dems of 19.3%.
That’s the biggest by-election swing to the Lib Dems since 1997’s Winchester by-election.
In 2015 we came fourth with 7% of the vote in Witney.
At yesterday’s byelection we leapfrogged the Labour party and beat them to take second place with 30% – while their vote was significantly down on 2015.
UKIP and the Greens both lost their deposits with less than 5% of the vote.
Former Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, John Leech, who led the successful campaign to pardon Alan Turing, has today secured an agreement with the Government which will grant a posthumous pardon to tens of thousands of gay and bisexual people convicted under long abolished sexual offence laws.
The decision to accept the amendment has been warmly welcomed by the architect of Alan Turing’s pardon, Cllr. John Leech, who said: “For years I have campaigned and fought for this moment and I’m completely overwhelmed that this is finally coming to a positive end.
“This is a deeply profound and emotional day for my team and I.”
Those similarly convicted but still alive will also receive pardons if they have successfully applied for a disregard, or in future successfully apply for a disregard under the Protection of Freedoms Act.
The Government will add their name to the Liberal Democrat amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill that when passed will finally grant the long awaited pardon to over 75,000 people.
This has been a long fought campaign for John Leech who first raised the issue in the Houses of Parliament and began campaigning in 2011.
Mr Leech submitted several motions to Parliament and campaigned hard to secure the historic pardon, stating that it was “utterly disgusting and ultimately just embarrassing” that the conviction was upheld as long as it was.
In 2013, Alan Turing was given a posthumous royal pardon and an official apology by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, following the high profile campaign led by John Leech.
Following the success of his campaign, Mr Leech turned to securing the pardon for the 75,895 other gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people who were unfairly convicted for similar offences.
Alan Turing was a pioneering English computer scientist and mathematician whose groundbreaking work is thought to have brought WWII to an end four years early.
However, at a trial in 1952, Turing admitted to “acts of gross indecency” before being sentenced to chemical castration. His conviction meant he lost his security clearance and was forced to stop work at Bletchley Park.
Aged just 41, he was found dead from cyanide poisoning in 1954 with a half-eaten apple by his side. An inquiry concluded that it was suicide.
It is estimated that Turing’s work saved the lives of some 14 to 21 million people.
Mr Leech said Turing’s persecution “by the state for being gay was a scandal that shouldn’t have ever been allowed to stand”.
The first motion Mr Leech submitted called for a recognition of the “vital contribution made by Alan Turing to Britain’s war effort” and “regrets that following his years of national service he received a criminal conviction for having a sexual relationship with another man”.
John Leech concluded: “This is an enormous step forward for LGBTQ+ history and I believe Alan Turing would be truly proud to see tens of thousands of people rightfully vindicated in his name.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron MP, added: “The Liberal Democrats continue to be the strongest voice on equality in and out of Parliament.
“This was a manifesto commitment which even in opposition, thanks to the tireless work of John Leech alongside our MPs and peers, we have been able to deliver on.”
Black History Month is an opportunity for us all to reflect on Britain’s diversity and rich culture, as well as serving as a reminder of the inequality that still exists.
This year, more so than others, the significance of Black History Month cannot be overlooked. Following the referendum result, we have seen a rise in racist attacks and xenophobic hate crimes reminding us that we must remain vigilant against division, and always celebrate our differences as well as our shared humanity and compassion.
Britain leads the world in so many different arenas from the Olympic medal leaders board to university league tables thanks to the diversity of those who have made this country their home and we must always strive to remain open and united against intolerance. The continued standing of this island depends on the contribution of all of those who live, work and study here – many from BME communities, some who have been here for hundreds of years and others who are newer arrivals.
Once again, the sheer number and quality of the events and activities being put on to celebrate Black History Month this year is breathtaking. It promises to be another wonderful year filled with talent and joy. I wish everyone a successful and enjoyable Black History Month and offer my congratulations and thanks to all those involved in making it a success.
The Liberal Democrats have gained 15,000 new members since the referendum, including doubling our membership in Tameside, and going strong.
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