Liberal Democrats Claim Laurels as Lead Remain Party in Hastings & Rye
Local Liberal Democrats joyfully took to social media on Sunday evening as the results for the European elections came in.
Neck and neck with the Green Party in the Hastings only counting area, the Lib Dems won a clear second place in Rother District - four of whose wards are included in the Hastings & Rye parliamentary seat.
Former parliamentary candidate for Hastings & Rye and the party's #9 MEP candidate at the election, Nick Perry said:
'Our vote share increased in Hastings alone by a whopping 13.6%. This is our best ever result locally, regionally and nationally.
'We are clearly the number one party for Remainers right across the Hastings & Rye seat, and will continue to do everything that we can to stop Brexit!'
Sole incumbent Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder has been joined by 15 more Lib Dem MEPs (Antony Hook and Judith Bunting in South East England) as the party gained seats right across England and Scotland, boosting the power of the Europe-wide Liberal Group in the European Parliament. This is now the third largest grouping in the Parliament, with considerable influence on what happens next. Nick Perry added,
'I want to thank all those people who have voted Liberal Democrat - who have lent votes; who may have not voted for the party for a long time. Thank you for your support. We will continue the fight for a People's Vote, and to stop Brexit. There is no better deal that the UK could have than membership of a reformed, more accountable European Union.'