LevellerLive

Sean Dromgoole (pictured below), the Labour candidate for Somerton & Frome Constituency has asked the LibDems to stand down. In an appeal to LibDem candidate Adam Boyden, Mr Dromgoole noted the contribution Mr Botden has made to the Frome area over recent years. However he went on to ask him to consider what he describes as “the best opportunity for Somerton and Frome in these complicated political times…. I invite Adam to become part of the solution. Adam is a distinguished District Councillor in Frome and widely respected for his public service. This I believe is a unique moment and an opportunity for him to serve the town he loves.”

This is the second time the Remain supporting candidates have tried to form a common front in the constituency. An ill fated attempt to form an alliance between the Greens and LibDems back fired last week.

Sean Dromgoole appealed for progressive candidates to give it another go. He says “Adam you have 24 hours in which to save Somerton and Frome. I urge you to stand down and by so doing join us and help us win for the greater good.”

The full text of the Labour press release is below:

The LibDem campaign in Somerton and Frome has got off to an unfortunate start. The misleading data presented in their literature has been discredited and they have agreed not to reuse it. It has also become clear that even their Central Party have accepted that they cannot win here, and they included Somerton and Frome as one of the seats to be offered up to the Greens as part of the innovative Unite to Remain initiative. We don’t know what happened, but we do know that the result is the LibDem candidate, Adam Boyden, and the Green candidate, Dr Andrea Dexter, are both still standing. This was clearly not the purpose of the pact. Now that we know the Brexit Party are no longer fielding a candidate, this full slate can benefit no party except the Conservatives.   

We yesterday saw Canterbury Lib Dem Tim Walker take such a principled step and I am inviting Adam to do the same here. If he does, I will happily meet with LibDem leadership to ensure that their local priorities are incorporated into a Labour campaign in Somerton and Frome. Most importantly should Labour form a government, of which I form a part, I will work to ensure that there is a Peoples Vote and when that vote is called, I will campaign, as I always have, for Remain. This is something I know Adam cares passionately about.

This is, I believe, the best opportunity for Somerton and Frome in these complicated political times and I invite Adam to become part of the solution. Adam is a distinguished District Councillor in Frome and widely respected for his public service. This I believe is a unique moment and an opportunity for him to serve the town he loves.

Adam you have 24 hours in which to save Somerton and Frome. I urge you to stand down and by so doing join us and help us win for the greater good.