Liberal Democrats choose Paul Rustad to contest Chiswick Riverside by-election

12.00.00am GMT Mon 29th Jan 2001

The Liberal Democrats have chosen Paul Rustad as their candidate for the Hounslow Council by-election in Chiswick Riverside on March 8th.

Paul is well known in the area for his campaigning work and has contested the ward on four previous occasions, missing victory by just 29 votes in 1986 and 54 in 1998.

The poll will attract widespread attention as a key test of strength between the Liberal Democrats and Tories in the run-up to an expected Spring general election.

Paul, who works at Liberal Democrat headquarters, spent 25 years in the music industry and has lived in Gordon Road in Chiswick Riverside ward for 26 years.

For 15 years Paul has been carrying out regular surveys of local residents to learn their views, and has edited more than 50 issues of the distinctive yellow Liberal Democrat "Focus" newsletters.

The latest survey, carried out earlier this month and covering the 4,800 homes in Chiswick Riverside, reveals widespread opposition to the proposed Citadel development at Chiswick Roundabout.

Graffiti was highlighted a concern, and there was also strong support for creating 20mph "go slow" areas around schools to protect children from dangerous drivers.

Paul said:

"My surveys have consistently shown that people in Chiswick are fed up with being ignored by faceless Labour councillors at Hounslow's Lampton Palace who continue to treat our community as the forgotten end of the borough.

"This election will be about who can provide the best and loudest voice for the people of Chiswick."