CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR REJECTS TORIES TO JOIN LIBERAL DEMOCRATS IN BRENT EAST

10.09.25am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Sep 2003

Less than three weeks before the Brent East by-election local Conservative Councillor Carol Shaw has defected to the Liberal Democrats.

Carol Shaw said that division and extremism within the Conservative Party had driven her out. The Liberal Democrats' energy, commitment and ability to deliver for local people are the factors that persuaded her to join the Liberal Democrats in Brent East.

Cllr Carol Shaw said:

"I have become disenchanted with local Conservative campaigning and the Conservative Group on Brent Council since the Council Elections. The Group Leadership is stale and lacks fresh policies to improve the local area for local people.

"Nationally, under Iain Duncan Smith's weak leadership the Conservatives have become more divided and extreme, and I have found myself increasingly uncomfortable with being a member of his party.

"Brent Liberal Democrats share my views on the local environment and Council services and have the energy and team spirit to build on the work I want to see done for the residents of Brondesbury. I want to work hard and effectively as a councillor representing the views of local people, contributing to debates and making a real difference to people's lives.

"I have been impressed with the commitment and energy shown by Sarah Teather in the current by-election to be MP for Brent East, and will back Sarah on 18th September."

Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy said:

"I am delighted to welcome Cllr Carol Shaw to the Liberal Democrats. Carol has worked hard on the council to represent the best interests of her electors. It is clear that she feels those interests are no longer represented by Iain Duncan Smith's Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats are the Party she now trusts to deliver the best deal for people in Brent.

"After six years in government, Labour is failing to deliver real improvements in our schools and hospitals and in the fight against crime. They have let people down. The Conservatives are divided and spend more time arguing among themselves than holding the Government to account. The Liberal Democrats are the effective opposition to New Labour - in Brent, and in Britain as a whole.

"I know that Cllr Shaw will be a valuable addition to the Liberal Democrat team in Brent."

Sarah Teather Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Brent East said:

"I am delighted that Carol has decided to join the Liberal Democrats. She is a popular well known local councillor who has a reputation for getting things done for local people.

"I am not surprised that she is fed up with the Conservatives who seem to have no new ideas and stopped listening to local people a long time ago.

"Carol's defection is a huge blow to the Conservatives ahead of the local by-election. Carol has been the only Conservative with a reputation for working hard for the residents of Brent. She will be an invaluable asset to our team and I look forward to working with her."