Editorial Opinion - The news today, Monday April 15th, is that Southport Kew Ward Cllr Sean Halsall is planning to stand as an independent parliamentary candidate at the next general election.

Elected as a labour councillor in 2019 Sean left the labour party just last week in Sefton along with colleague Natasha Carlin. Leaving the party was met with a lot of respect on social media, even from John Pugh leader of Sefton Liberal Democrats quoting ""Cllr. Halsall has the respect of all sections and parties on Sefton Council not because we all agree with all his views -far from it - but because he is a very genuine person who does not let party politics compromise his humanity nor his principles."

Sean did formally apply to be the labour parliamentary candidate but was not chosen to even be shortlisted with candidates chosen from outside of the town from London and Liverpool. Favourite to be chosen was felt to be Ella Crine a London based barrister who ran a slick campaign but Patrick Hurley an ex Liverpool City Councillor. Did labour not want Sean as a blue collar union background candidate? Labour Cllr Laura Lunn Bates said at the time "I’m disappointed no local candidates are on the shortlist list and a shame it’s gone straight to shortlist. As a local councillor, whichever candidate is selected will need to do work to win over members and residents."

Sean Halsall as an independent is the sixth person to declare for the next general election along with the incumbent MP Damien Moore (Conservatives), Patrick Hurley (Labour), Erin Harvey (Liberal Democrats), Edwin Black (Green) and Andrew Lynn (Reform UK).

The current MP for Southport Damien Moore gets a lot of negative comment on social media, one of the most popular topics brought up is voting to allow water companies to pump sewage but isn't that just following the party line and even whip. Something an independent MP would be free to vote with their own conscious.

Sean who has lived in Southport his whole life and has already declared his three priorities being a better local economy, NHS, and local community wealth building.

The last general election saw just three candidates with the result being Damien Moore (Conservative) 47.6%, Liz Savage (Labour) 39%, John Wright (Lib Dem) 13.5%.

The next general election following a five year term must be called by December 17th at the latest. With what looks like at least six candidates the next one looks a lot more interesting and certainly a greater choice for voters. The boundaries have also changed with the new Southport Constituency losing Ainsdale to Sefton Central and gaining rural areas of North Meols and Hesketh Bank, Tarleton and Rufford.

Favourite by far on sites such as electorialcalculus.co.uk put Labour to win at 96%. Reform UK predicted to win 14.3% presumably at the expense of the conservative voters. What effect will Sean Halsall as an independent have other parties? Maybe not just Labour voters but as independent standing for Southport.

Sean has a gofundme page looking to raise a total of £8,000 to fund his campaign. Only launched today it is already attracting many donations at

https://www.gofundme.com/f/get-sean-...-for-southport

Sean Halsall can be contacted by email at seanhalsallforsouthport@outlook.com

Reported by Steve Ashcroft, editor at qlocal.co.uk/southport

What chance? None!

It seems editor Steve Ashcroft has some sympathy for the idea of an independent MP: …Something an independent MP would be free to vote with their own conscious." [ …mind your grammar and spelling, Steve ! ] * * * With the UK's electoral arrangements local, independent candidates (practically) never succeed; Mr Halsall will know. His priorities: To deliver a thriving economy so people can work doing high skilled jobs here without having to move away after education. Fight relentless to protect and return our NHS to the fully publicly funded jewel in the crown of this country. The men and women who helped win the Second World War overwhelmingly backed its creation. We owe it to them and future generations to protect it at all costs. Help local people in Southport develop worker owned cooperatives to reinvigorate the high streets and local economy. Keeping the wealth generated in the town here for longer keeping the local economy stable and resilient. I’m a big believer in community wealth building. It isn’t something just for other places we can have it too. …are worthy but too general to construct a winning campaign, I fear. Is Councillor Halsall merely seeking a soapbox from which to air a few pet grievances? I wonder. How might an independent MP accomplish worthy ambitions? Occasionally, parliamentary arithmetic demands governments scrabble for every vote; but how often? I wish Cllr. Halsall well in his quest. He will need to organize and to reach out to all segments of Southport's electorate with a message of genuine hope and a plausible route to success.

Originally Posted by sandGroundZero

It seems editor Steve Ashcroft has some sympathy for the idea of an independent MP: …Something an independent MP would be free to vote with their own conscious." [ …mind your grammar and spelling, Steve ! ] * * * With the UK's electoral arrangements local, independent candidates (practically) never succeed; Mr Halsall will know. His priorities: To deliver a thriving economy so people can work doing high skilled jobs here without having to move away after education. Fight relentless to protect and return our NHS to the fully publicly funded jewel in the crown of this country. The men and women who helped win the Second World War overwhelmingly backed its creation. We owe it to them and future generations to protect it at all costs. Help local people in Southport develop worker owned cooperatives to reinvigorate the high streets and local economy. Keeping the wealth generated in the town here for longer keeping the local economy stable and resilient. I’m a big believer in community wealth building. It isn’t something just for other places we can have it too. …are worthy but too general to construct a winning campaign, I fear. Is Councillor Halsall merely seeking a soapbox from which to air a few pet grievances? I wonder. How might an independent MP accomplish worthy ambitions? Occasionally, parliamentary arithmetic demands governments scrabble for every vote; but how often? I wish Cllr. Halsall well in his quest. He will need to organize and to reach out to all segments of Southport's electorate with a message of genuine hope and a plausible route to success.

He is right though! Southport was a thriving town when there were workers, it has gone right down the pan with all the shirkers. Working co-operatives are a good idea - the council should help by issuing hefty fines to the financial companies who do not allow their premises to be opened on high streets. No shops should be closed for longer than three months.

Originally Posted by said

He is right though! Southport was a thriving town when there were workers, it has gone right down the pan with all the shirkers. Working co-operatives are a good idea - the council should help by issuing hefty fines to the financial companies who do not allow their premises to be opened on high streets. No shops should be closed for longer than three months.

So how are Sefton supposed to force people into properties as there is no law to allow this and business rates are set bt central government.

Originally Posted by Red devil

What chance? None!

You're probably right, but what he may do, is to take Labour voters with him leaving Damian Moore with an open goal..