Political comment: Martin Tod slams Suella Braverman switch as “more of the same failure for Hampshire”

Lib Dem candidate, Cllr Tod said that the Conservatives have repeatedly let Hampshire & the Isle of Wight down, with Braverman playing a central role in that record of failure as a key figure in Liz Truss’s government.

“The Conservatives have repeatedly failed Hampshire & the Isle of Wight. Suella Braverman was a big part of that failure – at the heart of Liz Truss’s government. Changing to another party won’t fix that,” Cllr Tod said. “It just shows that Reform would fail our region in exactly the same way.”

Cllr Tod, who is also the leader of Winchester City Council, also attacked Reform’s national leadership, expressing serious concerns about the party’s political direction.

“I can’t understand why anyone in Britain would join a party whose leader so clearly adores Donald Trump and wants to import his politics into the UK. The consequences in America have been horrific. No one should want the division and violence they’ve suffered there.”

He added that Trump’s remarks about the armed forces were particularly offensive in an area like Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

“Here in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, where so many people have served this country in the armed forces, President Trump’s insults towards those who served in Afghanistan have been simply vile.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming elections, Cllr Tod said the Liberal Democrats are ready to challenge both the Conservatives and Reform.

“It’s going to be a tough fight at the local elections and the next General Election, but the Liberal Democrats are ready. In the last 12 months across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, we’ve won more council by-elections than the Conservatives and Reform combined – more than any other party.”

“People want change, but they want positive change and a party that can actually deliver it. Here in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, that party is the Liberal Democrats.”