Lib Dem Choice for the Bromley & Chislehurst by-election

10.15.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th May 2006

Ben Abbotts: I will be fighting for a fair deal for Bromley and Chislehurst

The Liberal Democrats have chosen Bromley Councillor Ben Abbotts to fight the forthcoming parliamentary by-election.

The hustings was attended by local party Members from across the constituency and many wanted to hear what the two local candidates would do about levels of crime in the area after being repeatedly let down by the Conservative Council and Tony Blair's Government on the issue. Other issues raised included the state of the NHS and protecting our environment.

Ben Abbotts and his family live in the borough of Bromley and he is the Lib Dem Environment spokesman on Bromley Borough Council. He once worked for the late Vincent Hanna. His wife Zara is a secondary school teacher and they have two daughters aged five and one. He fought the neighbouring Sevenoaks constituency at the last General Election where the Lib Dems moved from third to second place.

Local campaigner Ben Abbotts said:

"I am absolutely delighted to be selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Bromley & Chislehurst and want to ensure that they continue to have a strong independent voice in Parliament.

"As a local Councillor myself, I know and share the frustrations of Bromley & Chislehurst residents. I have serious concerns about the levels of crime and anti-social behaviour locally and will place fighting them at the heart of my campaign.

"I will put strive to put Bromley back on the map and will be fighting for a fair deal for Bromley and Chislehurst."

Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats said:

"Ben Abbotts is an excellent choice and will make a great MP for the people of Bromley & Chislehurst.

"I know that Ben Abbotts will fight a positive campaign on the issues that matter to local people such as tackling crime, improving local health services and abolishing university tuition fees."