Don’t waste your vote today

12th December 2019

Veteran Southport journalist Martin Hovden writes: There was a steady stream of people going into St Francis of Assisi Church (pictured) in Kew just after 9am today to vote in the general election.

What surprised me was there were no canvassers from any party standing outside, waiting to tick off your vote.

Southport has the choice of three candidates:

Conservative Damien Moore – defending a 2,900 majority

Labour Liz Savage – her third attempt to win Southport

Liberal Democrat John Wright – his first time in Southport

You have until 10pm tonight to vote. The result is expected in the early hours of tomorrow.

Today’s “historic” election – the first to be held in December since 1923 – marks the end of the six-week election campaign after Prime Minister Boris Johnson called a general election.

While in Saint Francis of Assisi, I enjoyed a pleasant chat with the church’s vicar Alex Galbraith and his wife who told me the beautiful Christmas tree in the reception area was donated by Bill Rimmer’s Farm Shop in nearby Bentham Way.

Will there be much Christmas cheer in Southport when the result comes through?

Whatever your view, don’t waste your vote.