Election Thank You (Andrew Simpson)

Election Thank You

May 8, 2010 10:00 PM

I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all those people who supported me and the Liberal Democrats in the General Election. While it was disappointing not to win Northampton North, the Liberal Democrat share of the vote increased yet again and is now the highest it has been for over 60 years. With just over 2,500 votes between me and the winner, the Lib Dems still have a fantastic chance of making a gain next time.

One of the most exciting things about this election is how so many people - particularly younger and first time voters - were engaged and excited by a real desire for a new type of politics.

While clearly national issues took over in the last few hours - as voters switched back to the two old parties that they know - that appetite for something different remains, and politicians of all parties have a duty to address it.

In particular, with the whole of Northamptonshire turned blue, surely even the most die hard resisters to change cannot support an electoral system that yet again denies so many people a representative of the party of their choice.

So while I congratulate the Conservative Michael Ellis for winning the seat, I urge him to remember that with just 34% of the vote he has been elected without the support of most voters in Northampton North - and therefore has an obligation to listen to and represent the views of all his constituents, not just those of his supporters.

We do not need another MP whose first loyalty is to his party rather than his constituents - but rather someone who will build a new type of politics, by acting in the national and local interest and fixing our broken system once and for all.

For my part the local Lib Dems and I will continue to campaign for Northampton and to bring about the changes we want to see to put our town firmly on the map, and thank you local residents once again for your fantastic support.