Polls Show Lib Dems Neck and Neck with Labour in Hampstead and Kilburn

Polling analysis by the anti Brexit group – Best For Britain - has shown the Lib Dems just ahead of Labour in Hampstead and Kilburn.

The analysis showed that in both of the constituencies in Camden, the election will be fought between the Lib Dems and the Labour party, with the Conservatives unable to win in either seat.

Liberal Democrat candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn, Matt Sanders responded to the polls:

“The most recent election results and polling shows that the Liberal Democrats can win in Hampstead and Kilburn. Our clear message to stop Brexit, tackle climate change and invest in public services, is resonating with thousands of people here. Our area voted overwhelmingly to Remain, and wants a Remain MP from a Remain Party.

“Traditional Conservative voters know that the Tories are out of the race here – only the Liberal Democrats or Corbyn’s Labour can win in Hampstead and Kilburn.”

Holborn and St Pancras candidate Matthew Kirk remarked that:

“In Holborn St Pancras voters do not have to vote tactically.  They can choose the party that best represents them, without any fear that the Conservative candidate will win.  Camden is a 75% remain area and there is simply no chance that a Conservative could beat either the Lib Dems or Labour here.”

The Liberal Democrats won both seats by a significant margin in the European elections earlier this year.  Estimates by the academic Chris Hanretty showed that the Lib Dems picked up 38.8% of the vote in the EU elections in Hampstead and Kilburn, against Labour’s 21.7%.  In Holborn and St Pancras, the Lib Dems reached 32% of the vote, against Labour’s 24.1%. 

The Conservatives came in sixth place in the European election in both constituencies with under 10% of the vote.

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Lib Dem Camden Council Leader Flick Rea shares her thoughts after attending Paddy Ashdown's memorial service.

With many other friends and colleagues (rubbing shoulders with the great and the good) I attended the Memorial Service at Westminster Abbey today for Lord (Paddy) Ashdown. There were many moving tributes to Paddy who was, quite simply, a political Colossus - towering head and shoulders over most of his political contemporaries. Celebrated ( because of his past career in the forces, ) as “the only man in Parliament who could strangle a man with his own hands”, he was, in fact, a man of peace and internationalism. A man of incredible charm, he made friends everywhere he went - many people joined the Liberals, and later the Liberal Democrats, simply because of Paddy.

He stunned you with his conviction, his energy and his confidence and brought the new party from one of its lowest ebbs to a cohesive fighting force in Parliament and beyond.

We all have our favourite memories of Paddy - whether telling one of his special jokes, leading singing at the Conference Glee club, teaching us Mandarin at the Chinese Lib Dems dinner (he was a fluent speaker himself), or recounting how he joined the Liberals. A former Labour supporter, (his lovely wife Jane was a lifelong Liberal), Paddy said he was gardening when he was approached by a bearded Liberal canvasser in anorak and sandals, invited him in for a cup of tea, and an hour later was so convinced that he joined on the spot!

He later said it was like finding an old coat in a cupboard and it was so comfortable that he realised he’d been looking for it all his life! Not that he didn’t try to change things - he did. He brought us technology, new ideas (not always popular) and a real sense of purpose.

My personal memories are many. I chased him down (literally) after I’d first heard him speak at a Liberal Assembly, to try and get him to speak in Camden, and he was very friendly and charming - although I can’t remember now if I succeeded! I remember him in Blackpool, shortly after he’d become Leader, walking into a bar where there were about 40 councillors (about half our country-wide total), taking off his jacket, straddling a chair he’d turned round and telling us we were the lifeblood of the party, his shock troops and he relied on us. At which point we were all ready to leap, bayonets fixed, over the top, screaming “ yes, Paddy, we’ll follow you to hell and back!” (and occasionally it was!).

At one point, he took a few months off politics and travelled the whole country, finding out about people’s lives. He wrote a book about this and inscribed my copy “to Flis (which was his name for me) and thanks for the fags!” I have to admit that, even after he’d been told to stop, I did from time to time share a sneaky fag with him outside conference - once even with Charles Kennedy as well!

I counted him as a friend (he and Jane, like me have a daughter called Kate, and one son so we latterly swapped updates and pictures of our grandchildren!) to me he was also an inspiration and a guiding star.

I am proud and grateful to have known him.

Flick Rea

Matthew Kirk (left), Lib Dem prospective candidate for Holborn and St Pancras and Matt Sanders (right) Lib Dem prospective candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn, pictured with Luisa Porritt, Camden councillor and Lib Dem MEP for London.

Camden Lib Dems are delighted to introduce our newly selected prospective parliamentary candidates.  Matthew Kirk was selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Holborn and St Pancras and Matt Sanders was selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn.

The candidates were selected from exceptionally talented shortlists by Lib Dem members at selection hustings in Camden this Sunday afternoon.

Matt Sanders is a former Camden councillor and former special adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister.  In these roles he helped deliver the Pupil Premium, extra money for disadvantaged children in Camden and Brent schools, and free school meals for all infants.

Matthew Kirk lives in Kentish Town and is a barrister specialising in criminal law.  He has spent his working life fighting to secure justice and protect the rights of all concerned in the criminal justice system.

Camden Liberal Democrats are delighted to have Matt and Matthew as prospective candidates for the next general election (whenever it comes!), to help fight against Brexit and for the people of Camden.

Would you like to help Matt and Matthew win in Camden?  

• Volunteer to help the Lib Dems in Camden

• Donate to the Lib Dems in Camden

• Join the Lib Dems

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