Local election launch - UK wide Lib Dem Councils fight crime and take effective Green action

4.32.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Apr 2007

Sir Ming Launches Local Election Campaign

Today Southampton's Liberal Democrats launch their May 2007 local election campaign fielding a full list of candidates to give the opportunity for everyone in the city to vote for the achievements of the Liberal Democrats in Southampton.

Sir Ming Campbell launched the national Liberal Democrat local elections campaign by highlighting the real and positive change the party is making in local communities across the country.

Speaking this morning in London, Sir Ming emphasised that it is Liberal Democrat Councils who are putting in place practical measures to cut crime and tackle the issue of climate change while giving power back to local communities.

He cited the examples of Liverpool, where a Liberal Democrat council has slashed domestic burglary by 24% and Newcastle where the Liberal Democrat council has cut violent crime by 12%, after it doubled under Labour's control. In Islington, a Liberal Democrat council has reduced anti-social behaviour through the innovative use of anti-social behaviour contracts.

The Liberal Democrat Green Tax Switch proposals would move the burden of national tax away from people and towards pollution. The money raised would then be used to cut national income tax for millions of low and middle income earners.

Sir Ming highlighted that on a local level, Liberal Democrat Councils successful track record on the environment:

• Waverley Council has increased recycling rates from 14% under the Conservatives to 40% under the Liberal Democrats. In Southampton the recycling rate as more than doubled and it more have been more without Labour and Tories blocking the successfully piloted Alternative Weekly Collection scheme.

• Cornwall County Council has formed a Sustainable Energy Partnership, which has set challenging targets for renewable energy. In Southampton the Lib Dem led council won a Green Apple Gold Award for Council's Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy.

• Richmond upon Thames has implemented groundbreaking parking charges to ensure that residents in controlled parking zones pay for their permits based on the CO2 emissions of their vehicles. In Southampton the Environment and Transport Directorate jumps from 1 star 'poor' under Labour to 4 star 'excellent' rating under the Lib Dems.

The Liberal Democrat Leader attacked Tony Blair's Government for being the most centralising and authoritarian government of the modern era, and criticised David Cameron for learning all the wrong lessons about soundbites and spin from him.

Wishing to fulfil these national pledges the Southampton Liberal Democrats have a full slate of candidates and they are as follows:

Bassett - Sharon Mintoff

Sharon Mintoff & Sylvia Drake

• Sharon is an experienced Councillor having served in both Southampton and Eastleigh. She enjoys painting, reading and playing the flute. She speaks fluent French.

Bargate - Sylvia Drake

• Sylvia has lived in Southampton all her life and knows the City well. She gained experience as a Councillor in Peartree ward, serving on the Housing and Environment Committees. Her husband Gerry is a Councillor for Peartree ward.

Bevois - Paul Clarke

Paul Clarke & Rob Naish

• Paul 22, graduated from Nottingham University in 2005 and lives in Southampton. He currently works in customer services. His political interests include youth & student issues, transport and environment, voting system reform, foreign affairs and policy development. His hobbies include playing board games with friends

Bitterne - Rob Naish

• Rob is a lifelong So'tonian. He is a buyer for a local manufacturing company. His interests are the environment and he is an active member of a local conservation group. He supports the initiatives to deal with anti-social behaviour. He is interested in Leisure and is a keen golfer.

Bitterne Park - Arnold Edwin 'Robbie' Robinson

'Robbie' Robinson & Ken Darke

• Robbie is a retired electronics engineer and HGV lorry driver. He lives in Bitterne Park ward. He is very active in a number of community groups such as the East Neighbourhood Partnerships, Pensioners' Forum and is Chair of the Steering Group for Youth in Townhill Park. He is keen to get more facilities provided for young people in the area.

Coxford - Ken Darke

• Ken has been a Councillor for Coxford ward since 2003. He has served on the Planning and Licensing Panels and on the Environment & Transport Scrutiny Panel. He lives in the ward. His interests are gardening and D.I.Y.

Freemantle - Juliet Williams

Juliet Williams & Diana Wills

• Juliet was brought up in Southampton and went to Glen Eyre School and Itchen College. She has qualified as a barrister and works as company secretary for a local Housing Association. Juliet is also a member of the management committee of Red Lodge Swimming Pool, helping people with disabilities.

Harefield - Diana Wills

• Diana is a retired teacher. She was brought up in Southampton. Her interests are Education, the Environment and the Third World. She supports Fair Trade. She is a founder member of the Liberal Democrats

Millbrook - Rob Holmes

Rob Holmes & Keith Reed

• Rob is 25 and engaged to Suzy a science technician. A graduate who studied at Southampton University, he has just started working locally for a branch of a major bank. He is interested in organic gardening and practices this on his allotment plot. His political interests are in reducing low level crime and improving public transport.

Millbrook - Keith Reed

• Keith is 33 years of age and married to a nurse Sarah. They have a baby daughter. Keith is a nationally respected human rights campaigner. He has been a local councillor and director for disability and advice charities.

Peartree - John Slade

John Slade & Steve Sollitt

• John has represented Peartree ward as a Councillor since 1998 serving on a number of committees including Planning & Rights of Way of which he has been Chair. He is married with four children. He has served the City as Mayor during the past year.

Portswood - Steve Sollitt

• Steve is presently Councillor in Portswood ward where he was elected last year in a by-election. He is the Cabinet Member for Leisure & Culture in the present administration. Steve works for the NHS as a management accountant working for Hampshire Primary Care Trust.

Redbridge - Paul Russell

Paul Russell & Pauline Harding

• Paul represented Redbridge ward as a City Councillor for 19 years. He was also a County Councillor from 1989-1996. He served on many committees and panels over the years including Hampshire Fire & Rescue and the Police Authority. He was chair of the Environment Committee and Cabinet Member for Housing & Homes. His main hobby is golf.

Shirley - Pauline Harding

• Pauline is aged 46, married with 3 grown up sons. She was born and raised in Shirley Warren and attended the 3 local Warren schools. She is actively involved in several groups, including a community involvement scheme. Her hobbies are a small holding where she tends chickens, goats, pigs, sheep and ponies. Her interests are the environment and tackling anti-social behaviour.

Sholing - Martin Lisle

Martin Lisle & Anne Work

• Martin has a lot of experience as a driver and is training to be a driving instructor. He is married with 3 children. His hobbies include walking his dogs, D.I.Y. and caravanning.

Swaythling - Anne Work

• Anne lives in Swaythling ward. She gained experience as a Councillor serving in Bitterne Park Ward. She was active on the Airport Consultative Committee. She is active with various community groups involving children. She is interested in Health, Education and Social Policy.

Barbara Cove

Woolston - Barbara Cove

• Barbara lives in Woolston and enjoys meeting the public in her work in the box office of a local entertainment venue. She is involved in a number of local community activities and is particularly interested in facilities for young people. She coaches the junior section at a local rowing club.

Related Link:

BBC report - 'Reject Labour,' say Lib Dems.