John Pugh considers return to elected politics
Southport’s former Lib Dem MP John Pugh is considering contesting the early November Dukes Ward by-election caused by the resignation of Cllr Pat Ball.
John Pugh served as a councillor for Birkdale Ward for 14 years, and was for a time Leader of the Council, before being elected MP for the town in 2001. He stood down as MP at the 2017 general election and said at the time that he was interested in returning to local politics.
He said: “I have been asked by several people in my party but frankly, with plenty of talent around, no-one has a God-given right to stand. So I will spend the next few days talking to ordinary Dukes Ward voters and also to my family before finally making up my mind.”
“However, I do feel strongly that local government in this area is becoming a more secretive, exclusive and polarised affair with the concerns of Southport marginalised or ignored.”
John Pugh also paid tribute to retiring councillor Pat Ball: “Like many people I first knew Pat as a successful and friendly hotelier before she got involved in local and party politics. She has always been nice, normal and basically a non-tribal councillor. Sefton Council will miss her contribution.”
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