Eno urges stars to vote Lib Dem

6.01.40pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 31st Mar 2005

www.LibDemThisTime.org - Brian Eno's campaign website

Brian Eno, one of the most influential men in pop, has this week launched a campaign to encourage Britain's key cultural figures to vote Liberal Democrat. The former Roxy Music member and producer voted Labour in 1997. Now he is determined to help break the "rut" of two-party politics.

The campaign is centred on Eno's new website www.libdemthistime.org, which is asking potential Liberal Democrat voters to publicly commit to the party this election - and encourage more and more voters to do so in time for 5 May. Eno's campaign is not simply supporting the Liberal Democrats for the sake of it, but to work towards breaking the cycle of adversarial two-party politics.

The core group of supporters for Eno's plan include Sir Peter Hall, Travis singer Fran Healey, Body Shop founder Anita Roddick, film director Sophie Fiennes, scientist Richard Dawkins, Rosie Boycott and Germaine Greer.

Brian Eno said:

"They're original, intelligent people who are worth looking at. I didn't want to go the celebrity or showbiz route, or have it dominated by one group or seem like a little club."

Eno's online manifesto explains:

"This election could be a tipping point: with the Tories weak, and Blair widely distrusted, the chance is within reach, but if people who can't face voting for either the Tories or the Labour party just stay home, nothing will change."

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP, for Brentford & Isleworth commented:

"As the election draws closer it is an extremely positive sign that these individuals, respected in their fields, are coming behind the Lib Dems. The parliamentary by-elections over the past two years and successive victories for the Lib Dems have proved that we are a force to be reckoned with and serious contenders at this election.

"In Brentford & Isleworth too we present a serious threat to Labour's Ann Keen who was rated 68 out of 73 London MPs in the Evening Standard's value for money survey earlier this year. For the first time in a generation we are fighting a three-way race in Brentford & Isleworth where every vote for the Lib Dems counts."