Wrexham & Clwyd South General Election Candidates React To New PM & Possible New Poll

We have asked the former local candidates of the last Westminster election for their reaction to Theresa May becoming the new Prime Minster, and their views on a possible new early General Election.

Earlier today it was confirmed that Andrea Leadsom had pulled out of the member election for the role of Conservative leader, leaving Theresa May as the sole candidate and therefore winner. As the leader of the party, she will take on the Prime Minister position.

Labour MP Jon Trickett, who was one of the MP’s who nominated Jeremy Corbyn and is Labour’s campaigns and elections chair said today “I am now putting the whole of the party on a General Election footing”. Earlier today Angela Eagle also formally launched her Labour leadership challenge against Jeremy Corbyn.

Other parties and political figures have also called for a ‘snap’ election.

Due to the eventful day we enquired to all the former candidates, and eventual winners, of their reaction to the news of a new Prime Minister and the various processes that have been involved, plus the speculation over an early General Election. The views of those who replied are below…

Labour’s Ian Lucas, who won the Wrexham seat, told us: “In extraordinary times, I congratulate Theresa May on her election as Leader of the Conservative Party. She is likely to be Prime Minister very soon. The country is in a very difficult place as a result of decisions of Governments of which she was a member. She has a responsibility to extract the country from the mire.

“I think her election, without a full contest, makes a General Election soon much more likely. It is essential that, in such circumstances, that the Labour Party is a credible alternative Government. In order for that to happen, the first step that must happen is that Jeremy Corbyn must stand down as Leader.”

Plaid Cymru’s Carrie Harper who stood in Wrexham said, “The two main London based parties are currently in meltdown and the prospect of an unelected right wing Prime Minister in Theresa May sounds yet more alarm bells.

“Based on the flurry of resignations, back stabbing and power grabs over the last few weeks, I have no confidence that either the Tories or Labour have the faintest idea how to effectively govern the UK post Brexit. Along with UKIP, they have both displayed a shocking lack of leadership, arrogance and blatant self interest for all to see.

“My biggest concern now is the real danger that Wales could become side-lined in the upcoming Brexit fallout and Westminster quagmire, at the very time we cannot afford a weak hand at the negotiating table.

“It’s vital our interests are not brushed aside whilst the Labour party pulls itself to pieces and the Tories settle in for the long term. With the prospect of Scottish Independence also on the horizon, we cannot afford to be treated simply as a region of England in this upcoming debate and need a strong united party to speak up for Welsh interests.

“A democratic choice has been made by the people of Wales and Wrecsam to leave the EU and we in Plaid Cymru respect the result of the vote. It is now time to work towards securing the best possible outcome for the people of our nation and we’re ready for that challenge.

“We need better pay, better working conditions, greater job security and opportunities, affordable housing, an NHS that works and better public services. These are Plaid’s priorities and in the post Brexit landscape it’s becoming ever clearer that the London parties are simply incapable of providing the leadership needed to deliver for our communities here in Wales.”

Andrew Atkinson, who stood for the Conservatives in Wrexham replied to our query by saying: “As Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party I think that Theresa May will provide strong leadership and bring a wealth of experience from the highest level of government.

“During these unprecedented times, Ms May is well-placed to deliver a deal that works for Wrexham, Wales, and the UK as a whole; and to lead a Government which provides much needed stability and calms the markets. It would have been good as a party to vote on our leader but I can see the benefits of the process happening so quickly and bringing the stability that we need much faster, I was concerned that 2 months was too long given the current climate.

“In 2015, Conservatives won a majority to implement an ambitious manifesto, and Ms May is superbly placed to carry on the work started by outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron. I think we will need an election before 2020 but right now I think it’s important that we have strong leadership and get on with running the Country.”

Rob Walsh, who stood for the Liberal Democrats in Wrexham and is now a local Lib Dem Councillors, said, “I congratulate Theresa May on the news that she will become Britain`s next Prime Minister later this week. I sincerely hope that her first act as PM is to reveal a coherent Brexit plan, something that has been suspiciously lacking since the referendum.

“There is talk as to whether the country needs an immediate General Election as a result. My personal opinion is what’s the point? As I said during last year’s General Election campaign, the biggest lie that has ever been sold to the British people is that we vote for Prime Ministers. Vote for governments. We don’t. The Queen appoints Prime Ministers and will do so later in the week. All a General Election does is give the public a chance to re-elect or change their local MP. As the current crop of MPs were only elected 14 months ago, I don`t see the point in having an election unless there is a great public demand to have an injection of new blood in parliament.

“The problem with British democracy is that it is still stuck in the past. I would like to see radical electoral reform in the future, to enable people to actually vote for who they want to lead the country and for all votes to be equal and not skewed towards a handful of voters in marginal constituencies.

“Besides, the only way there can be a General Election, is if two-thirds of MPs vote for one. Can`t see that happening somehow!”

(You can relive our coverage from last year by clicking below…)

The winner in Clwyd South was Labour’s Susan Elan Jones who told us, “It now looks as though David Cameron’s close Cabinet colleague Theresa May will become our next Prime Minister. My fear is that we will now see the right-wing of that Conservative Government gain further ground, as they use the narrow Leave vote in the EU referendum to undermine business confidence and impair the rights of working people.

“At such a difficult time for our country, I hope that the new Prime Minister seeks to unite not divide people, recognising that it should not be the poorest in our country who have to shoulder the burden of the Government’s economic choices. At this time also, it’s vital that we have an effective opposition that shows itself to be an alternative party of government in waiting.”

Plaid Cymru’s challenger in Clwyd South was Mabon ap Gwynfor, who said today: “This whole process has been a farce. The Brexit leaders who wanted to “take back control” have all refused to take responsibility for what is to come. The UK’s next Prime Minister will not have even been elected. At the same time the Labour Party’s MPs, including our local representatives, are more interested in attacking their own leader in a bizarre Westminster coup than speaking up for communities being battered by austerity.

“Both the main London parties are failing to address the real issues that concern people. Plaid Cymru respects the recent referendum vote and wants to work with others to strengthen our economy, ensure better jobs with decent wages, and make sure our services – including the NHS – are working.

“While people may talk of a snap general election, we in Wales have faced two general elections and a referendum over the last two years, and will be voting in Councillors for our County and community Councils next year, so I don’t think there is much desire for an election. Having said that, seeing the mess that the political establishment is in today I wouldn’t bet against seeing a change in colour for this constituency if an election was held.”

David Nicholls, who was the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate in Clwyd South said, “I am delighted Theresa May is going to be our next Prime Minister. She will provide the firm leadership that the country needs, giving us certainty, stability and unity – in marked contrast to the chaos engulfing Labour.

“Not only does Theresa recognise that ‘Brexit means Brexit’ but she emphasises that we need to make a success of it. This means putting in place a strong cohesive team for Government and commencing negotiations with our European friends as soon as possible. The last thing we need now is the further uncertainty and delay that a General Election would cause. I doubt there will be one until 2020.

“I have every confidence that under Theresa’s leadership the UK will confidently power ahead to new strengths.”

Mr Cameron himself did not seem that bothered by the handover, with this sing song and ‘right’ captured by ITV…

VIDEO: PM appears to sing a little sorrowful tune as he re-enters Number 10 after announcing May handover: pic.twitter.com/9nbszG3pl8

— Vincent McAviney (@VinnyITV) July 11, 2016