Malcolm Mildren to challenge his old party in Northampton Parklands

6.55.52pm GMT Thu 17th Mar 2005

Local Liberal Democrats have selected County Councillor Malcolm Mildren to fight the key Tory seat of Parklands in the County Council elections.

Malcolm dramatically crossed the floor of the council chamber at the last County Council meeting, leaving the Conservative Party to join the Liberal Democrats.

'I am delighted to be fighting Parklands for the Liberal Democrats' said Malcolm. 'It is just the kind of area the Conservative party have taken for granted. They held it only narrowly last time, and if they cannot win here they have no chance of taking control of the County Council. Many moderate conservatives in Parklands have seen the party move to the right, and away from the values of tolerance and compassion of one nation conservatism.'

"Parklands is the only seat held on the County Council by the Conservatives in Northampton North and one they only narrowly won last time" said Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate Andrew Simpson. "Many people who voted Conservative in 2001 are now backing the Lib Dems as they see their old party move further to the right and also come out with policies that just don't add up.".