Liberal Democrat Candidate Helen Morgan met directors Patricia Mawuli Porter and Jonathan Porter to find out how they are promoting essential skills to a wider audience.
Local businesswoman Patricia Mawuli shows Helen how she is promoting engineering careers to women and young people in the Midlands
Liberal Democrat Candidate Helen Morgan visited local aviation firm Metal Seagulls Ltd on Friday to learn more about the light aircraft industry in the area and a special project plane registered G-WXYZ. The light aircraft has been built by Patricia with a team of around 300 volunteers keen to learn new skills, 75% of whom were women and/or under 25. The Zenair CH750 STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) plane is now complete. Having completed its test flight programme it will be sold to raise funds for the next exciting project at Metal Seagulls, which will give even more youngsters much needed hands-on experience of engineering in aviation.
Patricia is the first civilian Ghanaian woman to obtain a Ghanaian Pilots licence, the only black female aircraft inspector in the UK for the Light Aircraft Association and British Microlight Aircraft Association, and she is the only woman worldwide to be factory trained by Rotax Aircraft Engines and ULPower Aero Engines… and is now running an aviation business with her husband at Sleap Aerodrome in Shropshire.
Helen learning how local firm Metal Seagulls is promoting careers in STEM to young women
Helen said “Patricia is an inspiration to women who might not have considered a career in engineering. As our industries become more automated, engineering skills will be increasingly important, but many women lack the confidence to enter traditionally male occupations. The G-WXYZ project has provided valuable insight for a huge number of young people, and we are lucky to have Metal Seagulls in North Shropshire.”
Metal Seagulls director Jonathan said: “It is a pleasure to receive a parliamentary candidate who shows such a genuine interest local development, was down to earth and shared the same values and beliefs as we do in relation to the needs of business and young people in Shropshire. We wish Helen every success and believe that she will make an outstanding MP for North Shropshire.”
Six coaches organised by the Open Britain group left Shrewsbury early on Saturday morning, destined for the huge ‘People’s Vote’ march in central London.
Lib Dem PPC Helen Morgan marching for a Final Say
Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Shropshire, travelled with the Shropshire contingent to demonstrate with her family. She said “We have had a memorable day, marching with friends from all over the UK, and the rain did not dampen our spirits. But this immense crowd knew that this was probably our last chance to be heard. Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreement may only defer a catastrophic no-deal Brexit for a short period of time, and almost all opinion polls since 2017 show that Britain has changed its mind. We need to put this back to the people for a final say”.
100,000s of thousands marched in London – some sources say 1 million – joined by coach loads from ShropshireShropshire marched for a Final Say and an end to the Brexit mess
Nat Green, the Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Shrewsbury and Atcham also joined the large group of protesters from Shropshire.
Organisers estimated that over one million people from all over the UK attended the demonstration, in one of Britain’s biggest protests of modern times. It passed off peacefully, with police making no arrests. As news of the successful ‘Letwin amendment’ (designed to give MPs more time to scrutinise the legislation of the Withdrawal Agreement) reached the streets, the crowd cheered in celebration.
Liberal Democrat Candidate Helen Morgan says that support for the party is surging across North Shropshire
Helen, who was selected as the party’s candidate in August, was campaigning with a local team at the centre of the annual Blackberry Fair in Whitchurch on Saturday.
Former District Councillor and Mayor of Whitchurch, Ray Hatton, supporting Helen Morgan’s campaign to become North Shropshire’s next MP. Ray said: “Helen will make an outstanding MP for North Shropshire and I urge everybody to back her in the looming General Election.”
The local party has seen a surge in interest, with membership more than doubling over the last six months, as the government’s Brexit strategy descends into chaos.
Helen said “Whitchurch residents have told us today that they are shocked by the Government’s disrespect for the law, that they are fed up of being lied to, that they are shocked by the behaviour of Tory MPs and that they want Brexit stopped.
“Local farmers and businessmen are increasingly anxious about the threat to their livelihoods from a no-deal Brexit”.
This is a pattern reflected across the constituency, with new members from all corners of North Shropshire. These new members and supporters have previously voted both Conservative and Labour, and Helen believes they have joined because the only party representing their values is the Liberal Democrats.
“Of course stopping Brexit is the priority for us, but our clear stance on fighting the climate emergency, putting a cash injection into the NHS and reversing Tory cuts to the school budget is proving really attractive to voters” Helen explained.
“The Liberal Democrats are the biggest party of Remain and following our brilliant results at the European elections, are the only party that can oust the Conservatives in North Shropshire at the next election.
“The response today at the Blackberry Fair has been fantastic. We’ve had a great day here enjoying the entertainment and the party atmosphere, and we feel real optimism about a general election in the next few months.”
The Guardian newspaper claims it has seen documents revealing he had several meetings with officials and a minister, and that he also wrote letters asking them to take steps which would benefit healthcare firm Randox Laboratories and Lynn’s Country Foods Limited. Mr Paterson receives a salary of £100k per year for 16 hours a month from Randox, while Lynn’s Country Foods Limited pays him £12,000 per year for 24 hours work in total.
The newspaper also claims that Mr Paterson has twice used House of Commons notepaper to write to ministers in his capacity as a Randox employee, in breach of the rules. Furthermore, it alleges that Mr Paterson was involved in a sustained year-long lobbying campaign on behalf of Lynn’s Country Foods Limited in which the Company sought to persuade the Food Standards Agency to change its labelling requirements.
These allegations follow demands for an inquiry earlier this year into the source of funding for Mr Paterson’s overseas trips after £39,000 of donations were anonymously routed through a company of which he was the only director.
Speaking for North Shropshire Liberal Democrats, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Helen Morgan said:
“If true, these allegations are hugely disappointing and add to the long list of scandals from this Government. The Tories don’t seem to care about ordinary people trying to make ends meet – they are only interested in making money for themselves and their billionaire backers.
“North Shropshire needs an MP that is honest and is working hard, full time, for the constituency, not using their public position to demand £500 an hour from private companies. If elected, I promise to work full time for a bright future for this beautiful part of the countryside.”
Helen Morgan, North Shropshire Lib Dems PPC condemns plan to Prorogue Parliament.
‘I am angry and dismayed at the Government’s decision to prevent Parliamentary debate for five weeks in October. The United Kingdom faces its greatest crisis since 1945, and eight weeks before a disastrous crash-out Brexit, the Government is tying Parliament’s hands, hell-bent on driving this country over a cliff-edge.
‘To suggest that this closure is just a few additional days after the conference recess is simply not true. Parliament decides for itself whether it will have a recess, and it was becoming increasingly likely that it would be cancelled. The debate over the summer has focussed on the possibilities of using this arcane mechanism to force a crash-out Brexit, and this is clearly a cynical attempt to achieve just that.
‘The British Constitution is based on precedent and has relied for hundreds of years on the decency of the government not to abuse the accepted principles of a sovereign Parliament. Boris Johnson has proved his disrespect for the institution by trampling on these principles. He sets a dangerous precedent. If this goes ahead, any future minority government could simply close the doors of Parliament to push through unacceptable legislation.
‘Furthermore, on Sunday morning, Michael Gove refused to confirm that the Government would abide by any legislation passed by Parliament in the coming week. This is a truly unacceptable state of affairs, in which a referendum result of over three years ago, procured by lies and corruption, is used to justify the elimination of Parliamentary democracy in the United Kingdom.
‘On Friday afternoon, I spoke to a large rally in Shrewsbury to voice my opposition to the prorogation. The Liberal Democrats will continue to fight these developments, and fight to uphold the sovereignty of Parliament in the UK.’
Helen Morgan selected as Lib Dem PPC (Prospective Parliamentary Candidate) for North Shropshire by Members at a packed meeting in Wem. Members at a well-attended meeting in Wem voted to select Helen as their PPC.
LIB DEMS CHOOSE DYNAMIC CANDIDATE TO FIGHT ELECTION
Helen Morgan, a Chartered Accountant, mother and community campaigner has been selected by local North Shropshire Liberal Democrat members as their candidate to fight the next General Election. Helen Morgan, who lives with her young family in Harmer Hill works for a prominent North Shropshire business as their accountant.
Helen Morgan selected as Lib Dem PPC for North Shropshire
Speaking about her selection Helen said:
“I am delighted that members have selected me to be their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the next General Election. The General Election could happen in a matter of weeks. Both the Conservative and Labour parties are gripped by crises and infighting.
“Not only is Brexit likely to be a disaster for North Shropshire, it has led to increasing extremism in British politcs, with trust in politicians at a historic low. Many voters feel that the two main parties of the past century no longer reflect their values.
“We need politicians who will act in the interests of their constituency and country, whose standards of behaviour are civilised, whose motivations are not clouded by personal ambition or financial gain, and whose opinions withstand rational challenge. I can meet these standards, and with the positiive message of the Liberal Democrats, inspire voters of all ages, defend our liberal values and make a difference at a local and national level.
“Under Jo Swinson’s leadership, I believe that the Liberal Democrats are strongly placed to respond to the needs of the country and more locally in Shropshire. Britain rightly demands better than the mess we are in.”
David Walker, Chair of North Shropshire Liberal Democrats, said:
“The Liberal Democrats are surging nationally and locally with booming membership levels following our best ever Local Election and European Election results. In North Shropshire, our membership has grown by over 44% since the beginning of May. In Shropshire, we came 2nd in the European Elections and returned Phil Bennion to the European Parliament.
“In local council by-elections up and down the country Lib Dems are gaining seats with massive swings from the Conservatives. We were leading in one national opinion poll and are consistently now on a par with the old parties. The recent addition of Chuka Umunna and victory in Brecon and Radnorshire shows that the Liberal Democrats are also back in the game at Parliamentary level.
“We are overjoyed to have such a high calibre PPC as Helen to take on the Conservatives at the next General Election. For far too long the electors of North Shropshire have been taken for granted at local and parliamentary level. Helen will allow us to build upon our growth and campaign for the open and fair society we all need and demand.
“People are working hard, paying their taxes, doing their part, and yet, for far far too many people, they’re not able to get a fair wage, afford a home or generally build a good life. That’s not how it should be.
“We will be the voice for millions of voters who feel powerless and frustrated at the direction our country is taking. The Liberal Democrats demand better and will deliver real change. Helen will have a critical role to play in delivering that change.”
Phil Bennion MEP and Helen Morgan at a recent talk to members in Market Drayton
Farmer and MEP Dr Phil Bennion said:
“I am delighted by Helen’s selection as Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Shropshire.
“Brexit has caused the biggest crisis in our politics since the war and a general election this autumn is very possibly the only way we are going to break the impasse which is paralysing our government. Thousands of people who never thought of themselves as political before are now joining us, hundreds in Shropshire alone.
“Helen has experience and commitment and understands the perspective of ordinary North Shropshire people who do not buy into the extreme Brexit ideology for which their current MP has become a high priest.
“I am convinced that Owen Paterson’s faith in a no deal Brexit, which is not what he promised in the two debates I had with him during the referendum, is not shared by a majority of his constituents. They stand to lose so much from local disruption to agriculture and trade.
“With Labour hopelessly split, Helen offers a serious challenge as the leading candidate for Remain.”
