Another candidate stands aside in Southport and says “Back John Wright”

Another candidate has stood withdrawn from the race to be Southport’s next MP and has told voters to back John Wright, the Liberal Democrat candidate.

Carla Burns, candidate for The Renew Party, was one of dozens of candidates selected by her party to fight key seats in the general election, bur has now stood down and will fight the neighbouring constituency of Sefton Central instead. Explaining her withdrawal, John Wright told OTS:

“Carla Burns of the Renew Party and I met and spoke about our priorities given the unprecedented circumstances we face with Brexit and the incumbent government. In light of this discussion and a firm commitment from me to raising the standards of British politics, Carla has decided to step down in Southport to give the remain alliance the best possible chance of success”.

Ms Burns is the second candidate to withdraw from the race in Southport in favour of John Wright, following Green candidate Laurence’s Rankin’s announcement last week that he would not be contesting the election and would be urging supporters to back Mr Wright instead.

The Southport constituency is expected to be a close fight between the Conservative candidate Damien Moore and the Lib Dems’ John Wright, with Labour having fallen back significantly since the 2017 election.