“We offer a fresh and strong voice on an often complacent council”
Tim Farron MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats, launched John Leech’s campaign on Monday at Didsbury Lounge.
John Leech was the MP for Manchester Withington for 10 years, after he was elected in 2005 with the biggest swing in the country.
The former ‘MP of the Year’ award winner is standing for Didsbury West ward which the Liberal Democrats lost out in 2014 by just 162 votes. Recent data shows that gap is narrowing fast and is set to be one of the most fiercely contested seats in the country.
In a rally speech delivered to a room packed full of press, activists and campaigners, John Leech said; “Fear has won where liberalism, hope and hard work has been trampled on by politics wreaked by division, complacency and the attitude of ‘that’ll do’. Well it doesn’t. It’s not good enough for me. And it’s not good enough for Manchester.”
John Leech received roaring applause as he set the tone for another positive campaign stating that; “Nothing keeps me and the Liberal Democrats fighting more than an unjust system. And as long as residents in Manchester aren’t getting the best deal I’ll be here fighting and challenging that every step of the way.”
The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron MP officially launched the campaign, slamming John Leech’s parliamentary loss last year as “an absolute injustice”. He said; “Nowhere did last year’s result feel more unjust, more unfair or more undeserved than right here in Manchester Withington.”
He added: “People talk about pavement politics, community activists and campaigners, well they don’t come any bigger or better than John Leech. His dedication to Manchester is genuinely inspiring and he is absolutely the right man for the job.”
“His voice is needed more than ever on Manchester council now that it has plummeted into a one party state.”
John Leech is fighting to return to Manchester council after his election commitment, saying: “I promised not to give up on the residents of Manchester Withington, and I’m not going to. I will continue to fight for south Manchester as I always have done. I’m not going anywhere.”
Currently Labour has 96 out of 96 councillors in the town hall and John Leech hopes to lead the voice of opposition.
Last night, John Leech promised; “We will rebuild. We will start making a difference again. We offer a fresh and strong voice on an often complacent council.”
