IT'S SARAH TEATHER AND THE LIB DEMS OR TONY BLAIR'S LABOUR IN BRENT EAST

7.48.59pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th Apr 2005

Sarah Teather's campaign today got off to a flying start

The Liberal Democrat election campaign today got off to a flying start in the race for Brent East. Sarah Teather will be fighting this election with a record of action for local people and a promise of more to come.

Local Liberal Democrat Sarah Teather MP said:

"Since my election 18 months ago I have fought for fairer funding for local schools and colleges, for better access to GPs and for an end to the scandal of empty homes in this Borough. I have run a high profile campaign to clean up Brent because local residents are fed up of the streets being neglected. I have also opposed the Labour Government's proposals to send more troops to Iraq and challenged the Home Secretary in Parliament on his outrageous plans for house arrest without trial.

"I have a record of holding the Government to account and of championing local causes in Parliament and elsewhere. If re-elected I pledge to continue this work -- to be an active, hardworking local MP and a national voice for local people. It would be an honour and privilege to be re-elected again to serve this area."

Sarah Teather's agent, Chris Leaman said:

"Brent East residents have a straight choice in this election between hardworking local Lib Dem Sarah Teather and Tony Blair's candidate from Hertfordshire. The Conservatives cannot win in Brent East. The only way to send Tony Blair another powerful message is to vote for Sarah Teather and the Liberal Democrats. A vote for Labour is a vote for post office closures, dirty streets and the war with Iraq.

"A lot of local people are saying 'what will Tony Blair and George Bush do next?' We have already seen an 'illegal' war in Iraq, Sarah Teather and the Liberal Democrats are saying 'never again'."