LIBERAL DEMOCRATS FIELDING A STRONG AND EXPERIENCED TEAM - ASHLEY

8.54.21pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 11th Apr 2005

Left to right: Cllr Marc Ranmsbottom (Manchester Central), Cllr John Leech (Manchester Withington), Cllr Alison Firth (Wythenshawe and Sale East), Cllr Iain Donaldson (Manchester Blackley) and Qassim Afzal (Manchester Gorton)

With the election campaign finally in full swing, the Lib Dems in Manchester are proud to unveil their team to take on Labour across the city. Unlike the Tories, who haven't won a seat on the City Council since 1992 and have a team with no experience of Manchester politics, the Lib Dem Team of 5 have served 54 years on the City Council between them.

In Withington, Deputy Leader Cllr John Leech (Back Left) is taking on Keith Bradley. The Lib Dems have 16 out of 21 local Council seats.

In Gorton, Qassim Afzal (Front Right) is taking on Gerald Kaufman. The Lib Dems hold 16 out of 18 of the local Council seats.

In Central, local Councillor and Lib Dem Finance Spokesperson Marc Ramsbottom (Front Left) is fighting Tony Lloyd.

In Wythenshawe and Sale East, Councillor Alison Firth (Centre), Lib Dem Education spokesperson with 20 years experience as a Manchester Councillor, is taking on Paul Goggins.

In Blackley, Councillor for 13 years Iain Donaldson (Back Right), Lib Dem spokesperson on Direct Services, is taking on Graham Stringer.

Lib Dem Leader Cllr Simon Ashley said today, "With 38 Councillors across Manchester, only the Lib Dems have a track record of beating Labour locally. I am happy to endorse our team taking the fight to Labour across Manchester. I am happy that, unlike Labour, our team

represents the diversity of Manchester"

For more, or if you would like to interview local candidates, contact Cllr Simon Ashley on 234 3354 or 07879 891 150.