Wimbledon's Conservative MP will not now stand at the next General Election

Following news that Wimbledon's Conservative MP will not now stand at the next General Election, Cllr Paul Kohler said:

"Although we have 'crossed swords' politically on many occasions I have always respected Stephen Hammond as a constituency MP. I would like to place on record my thanks to him for his work in Parliament over the last 18 years.

"It is a privilege being the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Wimbledon.

"My wife and I have lived in Wimbledon - where we raised our four daughters - for over 30 years. I want to give something back to the community that has been so supportive to us.

"At the next election, local people will have a clear choice between a Conservative Party that has crashed our economy, polluted our rivers and left our schools and public buildings to collapse. I will stand up for local health and social care services, campaign to ensure the long-term future of Wimbledon police station, fight to grow our economy and strive to give a voice to those who demand better from their Government and their MP. They need an MP who they can trust and who will fight for a fairer deal for our area."

"If you share my vision for a fair, free and tolerant Wimbledon then I urge you join my campaign. Together we can win for Wimbledon."
 

Notes

• Contact: Paul Kohler paul@mertonlibdems.org.uk
• Paul is happy to speak on any matters to do with the constituency.
• More information about Paul can be found online here.
• At the 2019 General Election, Paul Kohler narrowly came second – with the Conservative MP only 628 votes ahead. Labour came a distant third.
• Paul Kohler was readopted as the Lib Dem candidate two years ago.
• Labour (as of September 2023) have not yet chosen a candidate.
• The new constituency boundaries take in part of (Lib Dem-held) Kingston and Surbiton and, according to the New Statesman's recently published analysis, would have resulted in a Lib Dem victory in 2019.
• Current councillors in the new Wimbledon Constituency boundaries are consequently: Liberal Democrat 23, Conservative 4, Residents groups 4, Lab 2