New Chair to call tune at South Shropshire Liberal Democrats

Concert pianist David Gaukroger - chair of Ludlow Town Lib Dems since 2021, and a former Cleobury Mortimer councillor - has just been elected as Chair of the Lib Dems in the new South Shropshire constituency, stepping into Cllr Heather Kidd MBE’s shoes. 

David is well known in South Shropshire for his recent Flanders and Swann concerts with tenor Kim Begley in Ludlow’s Assembly Rooms, and has just performed [Friday 8th Dec] in ‘A Christmas Carol’, in aid of MND research. David canvasses and delivers leaflets for the Lib Dems several times a week. 

David said “After Helen Morgan MP’s by-election triumph in North Shropshire - and our two stunning recent council by-election wins here in Worfield and in Alveley & Claverley - it’s clear voters across Shropshire are turning to the Lib Dems. For too long the Conservatives have taken voters here for granted.”

“South Shropshire had a Lib Dem MP, Matthew Green just a few years ago. I’m sure that with our parliamentary candidate Chris Naylor - who lives in All Stretton, in the heart of the constituency - we’ll be winning South Shropshire back again soon.”

Previous Chair Cllr Heather Kidd, who was recently awarded an MBE for Services to Rural Communities, said “I’d love to continue but our rules say I can only serve three years. I’m certain the Lib Dems here stand a great chance in next year’s general election - after our impressive victories here recently, where we’ve trebled the Lib Dem vote and halved the Tory support."

"It’s time for a change, we’ve had a Lib Dem MP here before and with Chris Naylor we’re going to do it again”

Parliamentary Candidate Chris Naylor lives by the Long Mynd in All Stretton, in the centre of the new South Shropshire constituency. Chris has served on the local Patient Participation Group and the Radbrook Foundation supporting young people’s education. Chris is a National Trust volunteer and regularly helps with the National Trust sheep next to his home. He has served as a Councillor and Cabinet Member for Housing, in charge of 20,000 homes, overseeing the modernisation of 3,000 properties and restarting new social house building.

Chris said “South Shropshire is such a special place with its beautiful landscapes, farms, and rural communities. I want to play my part working with and helping local residents here. I’m delighted we have David Gaukroger as our new Chair - he’s dedicated to improving the lives of residents and communities here too.”

PHOTO: New Lib Dem Chair David Gaukroger (left) with Parliamentary candidate Chris Naylor (right)