Lib Dems pick charity worker to fight Brent East at next General Election

10.51.44pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 22nd May 2003

Sarah Teather campaigning for Brent East

Liberal Democrats in Brent East have selected Sarah Teather to fight the parliamentary seat at the next General Election. Sarah was born in North London and has lived and campaigned in various areas of North London since, including fighting the neighbouring seat of Finchley and Golders Green at the last General Election.

Sarah said "I am delighted to have been selected to fight this seat for the Liberal Democrats. Brent has been a rotten Labour Borough for too long. It is time for a change."

"I shall be fighting this seat hard to win. I shall campaign for honest funding for local schools, more GPs for our area and a greater commitment to environmental issues."

"People feel let down by Labour locally and nationally. But they don't trust the Tories either who are too busy stabbing one another in the back to be credible for Government. They couldn't run a bath, let alone the country!"

"Liberal Democrats achieved their highest vote share ever in the Local Elections in May this year – 30% – the same as Labour. People are increasingly turning to the Liberal Democrats as the only party of principle and principled opposition."

Cllr Bob Wharton, Chair of Brent Liberal Democrats said "Sarah is an excellent choice to fight this seat at the General Election. She has the energy, experience and determination to win here. I have no doubt that she will stand up for local people and argue our corner when she is elected to Parliament."

Sarah is the Policy Analyst at Macmillan Cancer Relief, advising the charity on health and social policy. A scientist by training, she has previously worked in science policy in both the public and private sectors, including drafting scientific advice to Government at the Royal Society.

Sarah joined the Liberal Democrats while at Cambridge in 1993 and has been active at all levels of the Party since, including serving on the Party's main policy making committee (the Federal Policy Committee) and Chairing the working group which is revising the Party's policy on health. She is currently a Councillor in inner-city Islington where the Liberal Democrats are in control. On the Council, Sarah has a particular interest in environmental issues.

Liberal Democrats have now selected over 100 candidates for the General Election, expected to be in 2005, including the neighbouring North London seats of Hornsey and Wood Green, Islington North and Islington South and Ruislip and Northwood, Brentwood and Ongar. Selections in Brent North and South are also underway as well as in Hampstead and Highgate, Vauxhall, Ealing Action and Shepherd Bush, Bethnal Green and Bow and Old Bexley and Sidcup. These seats are expected to announce their candidates within the next two months.