BYFLEET CAMPAIGNER SUE KITTELSEN TO JOIN LIB DEMS

Former Byfleet Parish Council Chairman Sue Kittelsen, who in 2004 stood as an Independent candidate for Woking Borough Council, has joined Byfleet Liberal Democrats.

In a statement, Mrs Kittelsen said:

"Until a few years ago, I always voted Conservative. Indeed, I was a Conservative Party member while I served (as an Independent) on Byfleet Parish Council, of which I was Chairman before its destructive takeover by Byfleet Tories in 2003.

"I resigned from the Conservative Party at that time in protest at their dreadful treatment of the Parish Council. In addition, I found them out-of-touch with modern life, and hostile to either new people or new ideas. As the then Chairman of the Conservative Party, Teresa May MP, said a few years ago, the Tories are perceived as "the nasty Party"; as far as I am concerned, this is still all too true.

"This is why I stood as an Independent candidate for the Byfleet ward in the 2004 Woking Borough Council elections; and I was very pleased that Mrs Beryl Marlow was defeated.

"As my thinking has developed, I have been increasingly attracted to the Liberal Democrats. They are open to new ideas, and - unlike the Conservatives - judge issues on their merits, not being adversarial for the sake of it.

"After a long discussion with Cllr Philip Goldenberg, I have decided to join the Liberal Democrats. I believe that, by so doing, I will be better able to serve my fellow-residents in Byfleet."

In a joint statement welcoming Mrs Kittelsen, Byfleet LibDem Cllr Anne Roberts, Woking LibDem Council Group Deputy Leader Cllr Philip Goldenberg and Woking LibDem Parliamentary Spokesperson Dr Anne Lee said:

"We are delighted that Sue has joined us. She is a great campaigner, with an equally great record of service to the people of Byfleet. We very much look forward to her working with us to improve the quality of life in Byfleet."

Contact details:

Sue Kittelsen: 01932 347619/07958 465018

Cllr Philip Goldenberg: 020 7291 8807/07836 559077

Dr Anne Lee: 01483 222610/07973 175059