Veteran Southport journalist Martin Hovden writes: Liberal Democats have turned to the church to help them win back Southport from the Tories in next Thursday’s general election.
The Lib Dems were pushed into an embarrassing third place by Labour in 2017, but candidate John Wright is determined to secure victory this time round.
Hoping to help him achieve that aim is Rod Garner (pictured), former vicar of Holy Trinity Church in the town centre, who writes in the party’s latest election leaflet: “I am looking for an MP with an independent mind who will be responsive to the needs and concerns of ordinary people and speak to them when it matters. I believe John Wright will honour this important brief and I will be voting for the Lib Dems.”
It’s very unusual for someone from the church to come out publicly in favour of one political party over the other, so this is something of coup for the Lib Dems. They have put the 71-year-old Reverend Canon Dr Garner (retired Anglican priest and writer) at the top of their list of people endorsing Mr Wright.
Mr Wright himself is a Catholic, something he has made reference to in many of his election leaflets. His Lib Dem colleague John Pugh, former MP for the town, is also a Catholic.
Do politics and religion mix well? Time will tell.
Whatever your view, don’t waste your vote next Thursday 12 December.
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