Manchester Lib Dems field full slate for local elections

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 4th Apr 2007

Manchester Liberal Democrats are fielding a full slate of candidates to stand in the local elections on May 3rd. Twelve Councillors are defending their seats, with over a hundred years of Council experience between them, with a further six former Councillors also seeking to return to the Council Chamber. The Tories have't won a seat in Manchester since 1992, and the Greens hold just one seat.

Half the seats being defended by the Lib Dems have women or ethnic minority candidates.

Manchester Lib Dem Leader Simon Ashley said:

"The Liberal Democrats have a balanced team across Manchester and are the only party able to take the fight to Labour. Our five main pledges will be:

1) We will freeze Council Tax and wage war on Labour's Town Hall waste.

2) We will fund 40 new Police Officers and reverse Labour's cuts to Policing funding for Manchester.

3) We will give every ward in the city an extra £100,000 to spend on local services.

4) We will oppose fortnightly bin collections, make Manchester cleaner and recycle more all year round.

5) We will help create local jobs and spread the benefits of regeneration to local people.

Cllr Ashley continued:

"We hope to gain seats across Manchester, and Greater Manchester, in May."

Ends.....