October 1, 2014 7.35 am This story is over 124 months old

Lincoln Lib Dem MP candidate stands down

Change of mind: David Harding-Price, the Liberal Democrats MP candidate for Lincoln in the 2015 general elections, announced he is standing down from the role.
David Harding Price

David Harding-Price, the Liberal Democrats MP candidate for Lincoln in the 2015 general elections, announced he is standing down from the role with immediate effect.

With only seven months to go until the elections, the party will have to find and select a new candidate.

David Harding-Price said impending family reasons along with recent political developments have led to his decision to stand down.

He said: “After much consideration and discussion with my family, I have decided that at this time I am going to stand down as the Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Lincoln.

“There are a number of reasons for this, which includes the failure by MPs to support nurses in providing them with a pay rise whilst continuing to give themselves well above the rate of inflation pay rises, the fact that we are going down a road to war again and for impending family reasons.

“After over a quarter of a century active in politics I am sorry to take this action.

“Even following the Scottish referendum vote I cannot see sufficient people in the general election turning out to vote to give any person a real mandate to represent them in any constituency.

“It has been my long held view that until such time as we have either mandatory ballot paper collection or most of the population decides to turn out to do their civic duty and vote, anyone elected is not representing the majority.”

He added: “I will continue to speak up for people as an individual and as the Council Member and Honorary Treasurer of the Royal College of Nursing.”

Chair of Lincoln, Sleaford and North Hykeham Lib Dems, Lynn Pepper said: “David worked as a campaigner in both Lincoln and Sleaford & North Hykeham for a number of years.

“He has always been a passionate supporter of the NHS and securing a better pay deal for nurses. We will continue to back him in his fight on this issue. We wish him and his family the best for the future.”

The party say the process to select a new candidate will begin at the earliest opportunity.