New recruits to the Liberal Democrats

11.12.01

Davey's Statement On Labour MP Defecting To Lib Dems & Pro-euro Tories Joining Lib Dems Too

Commenting on the news that the Labour MP, Paul Marsden, is joining the Liberal Democrats, along with a group of former Conservative party members who had formed the "Pro Europe Conservative Party", Kingston and Surbiton's Lib Dem MP, Edward Davey, said:

"I am very pleased to be able to welcome both the former Labour MP, Paul Marsden, to the Liberal Democrats, and the former leading Conservatives too.

"It is very significant that the Liberal Democrats are now picking up support from both the Conservative and Labour Parties. We are increasingly being seen as the real Opposition to Blair's Government, and as the party of the future.

"It has been apparent for some time, that the Conservatives under Iain Duncan Smith are now incapable of forming a principled, relevant opposition force. This vital role is now falling on the shoulders of the Liberal Democrats, and we are determined to rise to that responsibility.

"Paul Marsden has worked hard since his election in 1997 to represent the best interests of his constituents of Shrewsbury. It is clear that he feels those interests are no longer represented by a Labour Party that is so comprehensively failing to deliver on its promises. The Liberal Democrats are the Party he now trusts to work in the best interests of the British people.

"After almost five years in government Labour is failing the National Health Service. Indeed the Chairman of the Labour Party himself admitted recently that parts of the NHS have got worse since they came to office. Secondary school class sizes are now higher than they have been for years. Police numbers are lower now than in 1997. Our rail system is in a shocking state and getting worse.

"Yet this week's news that the Pro-Euro Conservatives have also switched to the Liberal Democrats shows we can count on new support from all parts of the political spectrum. Together these new supporters from Labour and the Conservatives send a powerful signal.

"The Government is no longer trusted; the Conservatives are too extreme and the Liberal Democrats are now the party of the future in British politics.