Just when you thought one election was over, another one is pencilled in for less than two weeks time.
As we leave behind one polling day that saw the country’s two major parties suffer at the hands of the electorate, voters will head to the polls once more for a second helping.
Brexit was the elephant in the room, claimed one Lincolnshire council leader following the collapse of his party’s majority in North Kesteven.
The local elections seemingly suffered from a hangover from the bombardment of negotiations with Brussels over the past couple of years.
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So, it’s fitting that the next time Britain’s voters wield a pencil and ballot paper, it will centre on Europe.
The European Parliament elections will see MEPs returned to Brussels to make decisions on legislation that affects the 28 member states of the European Union.
The vote will be the first time since the 2017 General Election that the public’s opinion on the handling of Brexit has been tested, despite the overtones of last week’s council elections.
Bill Newton-Dunn, Liberal Democrat candidate for the East Midlands at the EU elections. Picture: Daniel Jaines for the Lincolnshire Reporter.
In Lincolnshire, the staunch leave vote will be tested again with the likes of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party and UKIP taking the field.
The Liberal Democrats will also look to replicate their good performance across the county.
Change UK, Labour, The Green Party, Conservatives and the independents will also be looking to make inroads on May 23.
In the past, the EU elections have been overlooked and often a chance for fringe parties to grasp some success.
UKIP and the Greens have seen candidates returned to Brussels over the years.
But with fringe parties controlling the narrative on Brexit and seeing an increased voice in the media, the election result may have a bigger effect on the future political scene.
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Lincoln City winger Morgan Rogers has won the EFL’s Young Player of the Month award after some dazzling displays in March.
The Manchester City teenager, on loan at the Imps until the end of the season, scored three goals in seven games in March to pick up the award.
It comes as the 18-year-old’s influence on the team continues to grow, ahead of a League One promotion push at the end of the season.
Lincoln City currently find themselves in sixth place, hanging onto a play-off spot by a thread, with just eight games remaining of the regular season.
The England under-18 international said: “I’m really happy to have won the award and appreciate whoever chose me to win it.
“My aims now are to keep progressing and keep improving. I want to try and get as many goals and assists as possible but more importantly contribute to the team and make sure we’re winning games.
“I just need to keep learning and keep improving and see wherever this journey takes me.”
Next up for the Imps will be a home match against MK Dons on Tuesday, April 13, before two away trips to Bristol Rovers and Burton Albion on Saturday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 20 respectively.
The former Bishop of Lincoln, who was affectionately known across Greater Lincolnshire as Bishop Bob, has sadly died.
Rt Revd Robert Hardy CBE, who was Bishop of Lincoln between 1987 and 2001, died on Friday, April 9.
The Diocese of Lincoln said Bishop Bob was much loved and greatly admired for his dedication to the diocese and the people of the city.
Bishop Hardy, 84, was born in 1936 and was particularly known for his commitment to rural issues, as well as being President of the Lincolnshire Show.
He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2001 for his services to the Church of England, including being Bishop for HM Prisons.
He also served as honorary assistant bishop in the diocese of Carlisle during his retirement.
The Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd Christoper Lowson, said: “I ask that we pray for Bishop Bob, giving thanks for his ministry, and that we also pray for those who mourn at this time, particularly his wife Isobel, and their children Ben, Alexander and Rebecca. Dr Isobel Hardy made her own caring contribution to Lincolnshire as a General Practitioner in Sleaford and Market Rasen while her husband was bishop and our condolences are with her and the family.
“May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
“Father of all, we pray to thee for those whom we love, but see no longer. Grant them thy peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and in thy loving wisdom and almighty power work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”