Gillian Merron on the 'tough fight' ahead
Lincoln MP Gillian Merron admits she faces a "tough fight" to hold on to the seat at the General Election.
Ms Merron, who is defending a majority of only 3,844, claimed the city had "weathered the storm" of the recession thanks to Labour.
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Lincoln MP Gillian Merron
Speaking at the party's annual conference in Brighton, she told the Echo: "It's a tough fight, but I'm totally up for it. There's so much at stake because I care very deeply about how Lincoln does, how people there are supported and given opportunities and cared for."
Ms Merron has seen her majority fall from more than 11,000 when Labour entered government in 1997, and the city is a key target for the Conservatives.
"I never take any vote for granted," she said. "This is the fourth election where I've put myself forward to the people of Lincoln, who will decide. I'm respectful it's their choice about what sort of Lincoln they want to see.
"Lincoln has weathered the storm well and I hope people wouldn't want to put all of that at risk."
She praised Prime Minister Gordon Brown's conference speech, which included a raft of new policy pledges.
And she said promises to tackle anti-social behaviour and to provide free care at home for all elderly people judged to have "high needs" would be particularly welcome in Lincoln.
For more from Merron, and a response from her Conservative rival Karl McCartney, see Saturday's Echo.
3 Comments
by Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Monday, October 05 2009, 9:28AM
“Indeed, Mark. Here, once again, is the statistic I never tire of quoting:
Votes attended: 2909 out of 3632
No. of rebellions: 9
That's 0.309% of the votes she attended or 0.248% if you use the theoretical maximum.
Either way, the woman is an utter disgrace. The core of the MP's job is to represent their constituents, not blindly rubber-stamp every single piece of government policy that passes under their nose.
Oh wait, I'm sorry, it's not every single piece, just 99.691% of it.
We're on to you, woman. You're finished.”
by Mark Shepherd, Lincoln
Monday, October 05 2009, 9:15AM
“Ms Merron, you might have helped your chances by occasionally voting based on the interests of your constituents rather than your party. By putting your party masters first I'm afraid you will fall with them.”
by Martin, Lincoln
Monday, October 05 2009, 8:15AM
“Shut your mouth, Merron. You and your disgusting government are finished. Sadly there are too many Labour-voting morons in Lincoln for you to lose your deposit, but you WILL lose your seat.”