Manchester's Lib Dem Team launch Local Election Campaign & 2008 Manifesto

4.14.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Apr 2008

Manchester Lib Dems Offer a Real Alternative to Arrogant & Centralised Labour, Says Lib Dem Leader Cllr Simon Ashley

Manchester Liberal Democrats today fielded a full slate of 32 candidates for May's local elections, and launched their 2008 "Manifesto for Manchester." Key proposals include a commitment to clean up the city "all-year-round", to freeze Council Tax and to fund extra police officers for Manchester.

Nominations closed today at noon today for the May 1st local elections in Manchester. The Liberal Democrats are standing in all 32 wards, and are defending 12 seats - Gorton South, Gorton North, Levenshulme, Longsight, Whalley Range, Rusholme, Withington, Chorlton Park, Burnage, Didsbury East, Didsbury West and the City Centre.

Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Simon Ashley stated:

"This Manifesto shows how we would make Manchester a cleaner, greener, safer and more local place in which to live and work. Locally, the Liberal Democrats are the only real opposition to Labour. The Conservatives have not elected a Councillor here since 1992, whilst the Greens have just 1 seat."

The Liberal Democrat Team has over 130 years of experience on the Council, with 2 Councillors, Levenshulme's Keith Whitmore and Didsbury East's David Sandiford, boasting 50 years service between them. Our team of 32 Councillors and Withington MP John Leech work hard all-year-round to serve the community and stand up for our residents

Manchester's longest-serving Lib Dem Councillor, Withington Cllr Audrey Jones, is stepping down after 29 1/2 years on the Council, with former Withington Councillor Brendon Jones selected in her place. Local Chorlton Park resident Bernie Ryan is replacing Withington MP John Leech as Chorlton Park candidate, as John steps down from the Council following the expiry of his term as a Councillor.

Manchester Lib Dem Leader Councillor Simon Ashley said:

"Here in Manchester, only the Lib Dems can beat Labour year-in, year-out at Council elections. This year, we are hoping to defend all 12 seats we currently hold, and make gains in seats such as Miles Platting & Newton Heath, Northenden and Chorlton."

Cllr Ashley added:

"A Lib Dem Council would freeze Council Tax, recycle more, put 40 extra police on our streets, devolve decision making to local communities, make our streets cleaner and create sustainable jobs for local people. We offer the only real alternative to Labour in Manchester."

Ends...

There are 32 Liberal Democrat Councillors in Manchester. The 2008 Liberal Democrat Manifesto for Manchester is available on this website here:

http://manchester-libdems.org.uk/resources/sites/217.160.173.25-40336f53506548.95608453/ManchesterLiberalDemocrat2008Manifesto.pdf

A provisional list of all candidates standing in the local elections on 1st May in Manchester follows:

http://manchester-libdems.org.uk/resources/sites/217.160.173.25-40336f53506548.95608453/LocalElectionsMay08CandidatesList.pdf