The South West is made up of over five million people and includes: Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire and Gibraltar. The last election saw a photo finish with the Conservatives gaining an MEP from Labour. In the European elections, the South West is a single constituency and you vote for the Party. The candidate defending the marginal seat the Conservatives won last time is James Cracknell. For James to win this marginal seat against Labour requires the Conservatives to win strong support from every part of the South West.
There are 6 candidates in the Conservative South West Team; Ashley Fox MEP, Julie Girling MEP, James Cracknell, Georgina Butler, Sophie Swire and Melissa Maynard. They combine a range of skills and expertise that they aim to dedicate to the service of the people living here.
James Cracknell says, “I am fortunate in my team mates for this race. Two experienced and conscientious MEP’s, a topflight diplomat in Georgina, a successful business woman in Sophie and a lifelong public servant in Melissa. We bring different talents and expertise to the team, but we are united by our commitment and dedication to serving every community and everyone here in the South West of England and Gibraltar. We are also all enthusiastic supporters of David Cameron’s commitment to fight for a better deal from the EU and give British people a referendum on that revised settlement.”
Polling day is Thursday 22nd May, which as we all know is the first day of the Devon County Show. Therefore, we are encouraging as many of our members and supporters to sign up for a postal vote so that they can cast their vote in these all important European Elections and also go along and enjoy the show! Please contact Lucille Baker on 01395 233503 or email: [email protected] and you will be sent a postal vote application form. The last date for getting a Postal Vote is 7th May.