CHARLES KENNEDY WELCOMES LABOUR CANDIDATE INTO LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

9.48.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th Apr 2005

Charles Kennedy MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, today welcomed into the Party Cllr Stephen Wilkinson -until yesterday Labour's parliamentary candidate for Ribble Valley and a Labour member of Lancashire County Council.

Cllr Wilkinson said:

"Until yesterday I was a Labour Party candidate - chosen by Labour to fight the General Election. Today, I am announcing that I have left the Labour Party and am joining the Liberal Democrats.

"Like many former Labour voters and activists, I feel angry that Labour have become increasingly authoritarian and failed to safeguard civil liberties. They have used the threat of terror to push for house arrest and compulsory ID cards and to justify the illegal war in Iraq.

"Who could have thought that a Labour government would become a lapdog to George Bush's right wing Republican administration.

"Charles Kennedy's Liberal Democrats come across as honest and straightforward. I believe that Charles Kennedy and the Liberal Democrats offer hope for the future. They are a principled alternative to Labour. The Conservatives are neither principled nor credible."

Mr Kennedy said:

"This is the day when the Prime Minister announces a general election. I am taking the Liberal Democrat message to five great British cities in all corners of the nation. There are now no no-go areas for Liberal Democrats, and polling day will see our party make great strides into urban Britain where we are clearly the alternative to Labour.

"I warmly welcome Stephen Wilkinson and his courage in leaving his party to join the Liberal Democrats. When Labour cannot even retain the support of their own candidates, it is surely a sign of things to come."

Notes:

Charles Kennedy will welcome Cllr Wilkinson into the Liberal Democrat Party at the previously notified press conference to be held at 8.00 am on

Tuesday 5th April at SAS Radisson Hotel, Manchester Airport, Chicago Avenue, Manchester Airport M90 3RA

Stephen Wilkinson resigned as Labour Parliamentary candidate for Ribble Valley and from the Labour Party yesterday and was accepted into membership of the Liberal Democrats last night.