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# Activist insists right Labour candidate could topple Tory domination in Lichfield
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/activist-insists-right-labour-candidate-could-topple-tory-domination-in-lichfield/
- Published: 2015-08-31T07:00:23.000Z
- Updated: 2015-08-24T20:27:04.000Z
- Description: Labour could topple the Tory domination in Lichfield with the right candidate, a local Labour activist has claimed.
- Author: Lewis Deakin
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 20:42

Labour could topple the Tory domination in Lichfield with the right candidate, a local Labour activist has claimed.

[![Chris Worsey](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/chrisworsey.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2015/05/06/eve-of-the-election-statement-chris-worsey-labour/chrisworsey-2/)

Chris Worsey

Chris Worsey stood against Conservative MP Michael Fabricant at the general election in May, reclaiming second place from the Lib Dems but still falling 18,000 votes short of a victory.

But Joshua Bell, who stood for Labour as a Lichfield District Council candidate for Longdon, believes clawing back such a big majority isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

“Lichfield had one of the best Labour candidates around in my opinion,” said Mr Bell. “Chris worked tirelessly to promote the Labour Party across the city. We could not have hoped for a better candidate.

“But we need to be ahead nationally – and well ahead. If we can do that and couple it with another engaging Labour candidate, then you never know.”

As well as finishing second to the Conservatives in the general election, the Labour party didn’t fare well in the local elections either, landing just four seats out of 47 on Lichfield District Council.

Mr Bell added: “Given the national swing to the Conservatives, the election results were not a surprise.

[![Joshua Bell](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/joshua-bell-and-harry-leslie-smith.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2015/08/18/lichfield-activist-warns-of-mass-exodus-of-labour-members-if-jeremy-corbyn-wins-leadership-race/joshua-bell-and-harry-leslie-smith/)

Joshua Bell

“We had some excellent local candidates, but the politics of the time was just not with us.

“I don’t agree on many issues with Michael Fabricant, but I trust him to continue to represent Lichfield in the very best way he can.

“I do think his opposition to HS2 and continual promotion of our city is admirable.”

With the national picture having an impact on local results, Mr Bell has already [urged party members not to back leadership frontrunner Jeremy Corbyn](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2015/08/18/lichfield-activist-warns-of-mass-exodus-of-labour-members-if-jeremy-corbyn-wins-leadership-race/).

But he insists that whatever the result of the Labour ballot on September 12, he will continue to fight for the party’s traditional values.

“Labour stands up for the most vulnerable in society, champions our NHS and has fairness and equality at its heart,” he said.

“My party means a great deal to me, and I’ll strive to become more involved in the future.”