Lib Dems launch in Brentford to fight Labour incompetence

12.00.00am GMT Mon 12th Nov 2001

The Liberal Democrats are launching a new campaign group in the Brentford area on Wednesday 14 November at the Stripes Bar, Brentford Football Club. This is to meet the growing discontent of Brentford residents with the performance of Labour councillors.

Local campaigner Sarah Poland says:

"34 years of the Labour rule in Hounslow is enough. It has bred complacency and it is time for change."

Local residents have been frustrated in recent months by insensitive development proposals for Brentford High Street; lack of Council cooperation with the Brentford FC in determining options for the Club's future location; and the continued closure of Watermans Arts Centre. Concerns are also emerging regarding possible incompetence by a Labour Councillor in the running of a European-funded development project based in Brentford.

Community representatives attending Wednesday evening's meeting will be invited to contribute their ideas to the party's policy formation process in the run up to next year's local elections.

The event will be chaired by Ray Giles OBE. Speakers are:

• Cllr Ray Fincher, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, on Liberal Democrat success in West Hounslow;

• John McGlashan, Bees United - the Brentford Supporters Trust - on the problems presently facing the club;

• Andrew Dakers, on the Liberal Democrat Vision for Local Government.

Support for the Liberal Democrats has risen sharply in the past six months following the party's continued general election success in South-West London and growing Tory disaffection.