Jonathan Calder reports that the local Lib Dems have been told to halt the selection of their Parliamentary Candidate amid speculation that Central Command may be holding back certain selections awaiting high profile arrivals into the Party.
But he ends his piece, “You have to be an optimist to see Canterbury as a Lib Dem candidate target. But politics is in such flux at the moment, who knows?”
I am an optimist in these matters and took up the challenge to make a case for our team in Canterbury.
It is inconceivable that Lib Dems can be strong contenders in such unlikely seats if we look at them through the lens of the 2017 results .
But there are certain criteria that need to be appreciated. These dark horses will have a strong LD vote in 2010 – the last time the Party fought elections at a similar rating in national opinion polls.
They will have evidence of a latent significant UKIP and Brexit Party (BP) level of support and a chunky Labour vote with plenty of remainers in it.
The voting across the constituency in the 2019 Euros will show strong support for the Party and for the BP.
And there will be a couple of knowledgeable campaigners steeped in community campaigning with a handful or more of councillors or former councillors.