Matthew Green launches his South Shropshire campaign for the next general election
Matthew Green, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for South Shropshire, was joined in Bridgnorth by Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, and Cllr Alex Wagner, the Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council, and local supporters to launch the campaign.
Following the launch, the Matthew Green led teams of supporters calling on voters in Bridgnorth and Quatford.
Matthew Green said: “It was a promising start to what is likely to be a long campaign. The enthusiasm of the supporters was not dampened by the wet weather. I was delighted to be joined by Helen Morgan and Alex Wagner and so many supporters from across Shropshire. On the doorsteps the response from local residents was really encouraging, with many remembering my time as the local MP from 2001 to 2005.”
“What is apparent is so many people who used to vote Conservative are now politically homeless. They don’t see voting Conservative as a viable option anymore, and some who switched to Reform in the past couple of years are now becoming disillusioned with them. The strong message I received from local residents is that first and foremost they would like to return to the time when they had a local MP who understands local residents and puts the interests of the area first. Many recalled that’s what they had when I was their MP and they would like to see it again.”
North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan said: “Matthew Green has always been a great local champion for South Shropshire, standing up for our communities and putting residents first. It was fantastic to join him, Cllr Alex Wagner and so many enthusiastic supporters in Bridgnorth to launch his campaign. the area in Parliament. I know Matthew would be a hardworking MP who truly understands and represents local people.”
Background Notes
In last year’s general election, the Conservatives’ vote almost halved, finishing on 34.1%, whilst Matthew Green doubled his party’s share to finish on 31.0%. Labour and the Greens received a combined 17.1% between them, they aren’t in the fight here.
Since the general election the poll ratings for the Conservatives have fallen further, whilst Reform’s have risen, leaving pollsters predicting that on current polling the general election in South Shropshire Constituency would be a tight finish between Liberal Democrats and Reform.
Liberal Democrats won the seat from the Conservatives in 2001, when Matthew Green gained 43.2% of the votes with the Conservatives not far behind on 39.4%. At the following election Conservative Philip Dunne won with 45.1%, and Matthew Green came narrowly second with 40.7% of the votes.
Matthew Green (55), is born, bred and educated in Shropshire. He has lived in Shropshire for over 50 years, with over 25 years living in South Shropshire in Ratlinghope, Bishops Castle and Much Wenlock. He relaxes by walking on the Shropshire Hills and, injuries permitting, playing cricket for Much Wenlock.
PHOTO: Matthew Green with Helen Morgan MP and Councillor Alex Wagner