Video – Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey visits Stratford ahead of local elections
STRATFORD – birthplace of the world’s most famous playwright - has become a Shakespearean Tragedy for the Tories, according to the Liberal Democrats.
The main reason for this theatrical diagnosis is the ongoing drama involving the constituency’s Conservative MP, Nadhim Zahawi.
It’s therefore not surprising that Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Lib Dems – who’re the main challengers to the Tories in this part of the world – chose to visit Stratford in the closing stages of the local election campaign.
Stratford was pencilled in as a last-minute inclusion in Sir Ed’s countrywide election campaign tour when Mr Zahawi fell from grace after being found to have breached the ministerial code relating to his tax affairs.
He was immediately sacked by prime minister Rishi Sunak as national chairman of the Conservative Party and minister without portfolio.
However, Mr Zahawi has been re-adopted as the Tory candidate for the next general election by the executive of Stratford Conservative Association.
It’s against this background that Sir Ed visited the Stratford district last Saturday, partly to examine water quality in the River Avon – a hot topic at the moment – and partly to rally the Lib Dem troops in their campaign.
Firstly he went to Welford – the ward held for the past three years by Lib Dem Cllr Manuela Perteghella – before going on to the Bancroft Gardens and other locations in Stratford.
It was at Cress Hill – a beauty spot on the outskirts of Welford – that Sir Ed spoke to the Herald after inspecting the water.
On the subject of Mr Zahawi – even though the “right decision” was eventually taken – Sir Ed accused Mr Sunak of “weakness”, especially when taking into account his re-hiring of Suella Braverman as home secretary only a week after she’d been forced to resign and the long drawn-out case of Dominic Raab over “bullying”.
Sir Ed said: “Where politics is in our country, people need to see that integrity and accountability will be put back. He [Mr Sunak] needs to insist on this integrity and accountability, but neither he nor the Conservatives are doing that.”
He added: “It’s weak leadership by the PM not to maintain integrity and accountability. It’s like this with Mr Zahawi.”
He added: “You would think that with Boris Johnson’s shocking premiership, and then that of Liz Truss, the Conservatives would have learnt their lesson, but it looks like it is continuing.
“I think decent, lifelong Conservatives are rightly appalled and they will make their judgement. When I hear reports that local Conservative Party members are feeling uncomfortable I respect them.
“Ultimately the Conservative Party has to sort this out… and he [Mr Zahawi] would not be standing in my party.”
On the subject of the local elections – which are taking place today (Thursday) – Sir Ed said the people of the Stratford district had seen how hard-working and determined the existing Lib Dem councillors were, with strong reputations and an ability to listen to all sides.
“District-wide we’ve put up a very strong slate of candidates,” said Sir Ed. “From what I can tell, their message is resonating with people. The NHS is coming up a lot. People can’t get GP appointments. And pensions issues are coming up a lot.” A lot of national issues were also “playing in”.
He added: “I’m hoping Stratford will be won. It’s a close one. We will be following it with huge interest.”
While in Stratford Sir Ed met Steve Martyn at his shop - the Bard Corner – in Waterside. Steve talked about the challenges for independent small businesses, in particular the skyrocketing energy costs.
At the Bancroft Gardens the MP met Tom Maples, the son of former Stratford Conservative MP John Maples, and listened to the reasons why he joined the Lib Dems.
In the afternoon Sir Ed met members and candidates for the local elections at the Ken Kennett Centre, took questions and joined candidates door-knocking in Clopton.
The Stratford District Council election ballot papers are being counted tomorrow (Friday) morning, with the final results expected by lunchtime. Voters will be electing 41 councillors in 39 wards, with boundaries having been redrawn. The Conservatives have been in control for over 20 years – their overall majority until today, on a 36-seat council, is two.
