Liberal Democrats ready to go for snap general election

Parliamentary candidates Sam Al-Hamdani (pictured above), Hannah Kitching and Chris Northwood are ready and raring to go for the snap general election called by Rishi Sunak for July 4.

Sam Al-Hamdani is the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Oldham Council, and won re-election to the Council in 2023 after nearly doubling his vote from his first win in 2019. He is standing in the Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency.

Hannah Kitching is the leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Barnsley Council, having taken their first seat against the Labour controlled council in 2019, and winning 11 seats in four years. She is standing in Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton.

Parliamentary candidate Sam Al-Hamdani said: “This year, in the local elections across the Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency, the Liberal Democrats were only 200 votes behind the Labour party. Meanwhile the Conservatives trailed down in fifth place behind the Oldham Group and other independents.

“The Conservative party nationally are in free fall. We can provide a real alternative – it is clear that with them having failed to even choose a candidate, they are not taking this election seriously.”

Chris Northwood, who is fighting the Manchester Central seat which now includes the two Failsworth wards, is a strong campaigner who is currently deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Manchester City Council.

Sam Al-Hamdani continued: “The Liberal Democrats present a clear, fair option at the general election. I’ve knocked on over 4,000 people’s doors in the last year, because I believe in listening to people, and fighting for what they need. We are looking forward to doing that on a wider stage.”