TORIES AND LABOUR SUFFER BLOW AS COUNCILLORS SWITCH TO LIB DEMS

PRESTON: David Cameron's attempts to reach out to voters in the north of England have come unstuck as two Conservative councillors in Preston quit the party and joined the Liberal Democrats. Councillors Sharon Riley and Marie Milne joined the Liberal Democrats yesterday. The blow for the Conservatives follows a Tory local election candidate commenting that an ethnic minority candidate "wouldn't work" in a "traditional working class seat." Joan Howarth has since issued a retraction but remains on the ballot for the May 4th local elections. Councillor Sharon Riley said:

"The Conservatives are simply unable to reach out and understand voters in metropolitan areas. I have been unimpressed by David Cameron and do not believe the Conservatives can fundamentally change. I'm delighted to join the Liberal Democrats and am confident the party will go from strength to strength. We are providing a genuine and real alternative to Labour, whilst the Conservatives remain out of touch."

BRENT: Brent Labour Councillor Jonathan Davies has joined the Liberal Democrats. Mr Davies was elected as the Councillor for Queen's Park ward in Sarah Teather's Brent East constituency in 2002 and his defection comes in the light of his concerns with the Labour Party nationally and locally. Councillor Davies is also standing down at the local elections. Councillor Jonathan Davies said:

"I can no longer be in a party that has lied to us about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, introduced university fees and is forcing through ID cards. I have realised that the beliefs I stand for such as the safeguarding of our civil liberties, international justice and a free and fair society are best represented within the Liberal Democrats."