Andrew Simpson Reselected to fight Northampton North

9.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 13th May 2006

Andrew Simpson -"I want to promote Northampton and its people by being its champion - that means standing up for it when required. I want to put people first not photo opportunities - providing the best possible service to people who ask their MP for help."

Liberal Democrats in Northampton have overwhelmingly backed local Councillor Andrew Simpson to fight the new priority seat of Northampton North.

Andrew fought the seat in 2005 slashing Labour MP Sally Keeble's majority to just under 6,000 - described by the BBC as the best result for the Liberal Democrats in Northamptonshire.

Northampton North is one of the most winnable for the Liberal Democrats in the East Midlands Region.

At the packed hustings Cllr Andrew Simpson said:-

"Under New Labour, we have government by and for tabloid headlines. So one clanger is followed by a knee jerk reaction and more legislation.

"And what of the Tories? For all David Cameron's claim of changing, we must remind people that it was David Cameron who wrote the Tories last manifesto which pandered to prejudice and people's fears.

"I want to promote Northampton and its people by being its champion - that means standing up for it when required. I want to put people first not photo opportunities - providing the best possible service to people who ask their MP for help.

"I believe we can find another 3,294 Labour voters to vote Lib Dem by the next election - hopefully some Conservatives too. We need to do that by demonstrating we are the alternative to Labour and we are better than either of the other two parties."

Ends.

Notes to editors.

1.Andrew Simpson has been a Northampton Borough Councillor, representing the Kingsley Ward since 1995.

2.He has lived locally in Northampton for 23 years. He is former president of the Student Union of the University College Northampton (Now University of Northampton)

3.Andrew increased the Lib Dem vote in Northampton North by 6.7%. The Conservative vote remained static. On the same day the Liberal Democrats topped the poll in the County Council Elections in the new constituency.

4.For more information visit www.andrew-simpson.org.uk or call Andrew on 07973 560432.

Related Link:

Click here to read Andrew's full speech.