Vote Liberal get Conservative: What would a coalition mean for you in Chippenham?

By Lois_Avery | Monday, May 10, 2010, 12:07

Despite what were described as ‘disappointing results’ following Thursdays’ general election the Liberal Democrats managed to make headway in Chippenham grabbing hold of the newly created seat with both hands.

Duncan Hames: Chippenham's new Lib Dem MP

Duncan Hames was elected, beating Tory candidate Wilfred Emmanuel Jones and Labour candidate Greg Lovell with over 23,000 votes.

It’s the first time Chippenham residents have voted for their own MP, following boundary changes. Up until this year the town fell under the umbrella of North Wiltshire and subsequently had Conservative James Gray as their MP.

Many voters who put their mark by the Liberal Democrats did so because they hope it would mean a breath of fresh air for politics both locally and nationally.

But could we now be looking towards a diluted version of their policies so that Nick Clegg can jump into bed with David Cameron?

What do people in Chippenham think about the possibility of the Lib Dems sharing power with the Conservatives if a coalition is formed? After months of bickering Clegg and Cameron now seem to have forgotten their differences and look set to join together to lead Britain.

Perhaps you will feel as though your vote was pointless if a Lib/Con coalition is formed? Or do you think it will help bring about change quicker if Nick Clegg comes to a deal with the Tories?

What do you think of our new MP in general?

Have your say here, drop a comment below and let us know.

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Comments

It's still a majority. And i see your point about the seat stretching to towns outside of Chippenham. But coming from a town the size of Chippenham it certainly feels more personal this time to have a seat that doesn't cover the whole of North Wilts.

North Wilts is quite a diverse and, in parts, very rural area, so its needs and values don't necessarily ring true with the demographic in a growing town like Chippenham.

I'm not saying it's more important but this is a site focused on Chippenham, so anything Chippenham related is obviously more relevant.

But i agree...let's see if Mr Hames can prove us all wrong, looking forward to seeing what he does.

By Lois_Avery at 16:42 on 12/05/10
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The Chippenham seat was notionally Lib Dem, so its not a win at all, meerly a hold! I also think you can't call a 2000 majority "grabbing with both hands"

Anyways, in my opinion Hames isn't the strong MP this area deserves, we needed a strong voice in Westminster and Hames isn't that, happy to be proved wrong though!

Also, you say that this is the "first time Chippenham residents have voted for their own MP" but that is completely wrong. The new Chippenham seat is made up of Bradford on Avon, Corsham, Melksham and even parts of Trowbridge (Hilperton, Staverton, Semington) so the residents of Chippenham had no more of a say then when they voted in North Wiltshire. 'Chippenham' is just a name and no more important within the seat then the other towns and villages!

By SpudUk at 13:40 on 12/05/10
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As far as Chippenham is concerned i doubt it will make a blind bit of difference. Yes it's a sad indictment of our very flawed voting system, but i don't think the locals have got a lot to worry about. I'll be glad when it's all over! Good luck to our MP though, i hope he proves me wrong!

By nimby101 at 09:39 on 11/05/10
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