Liberal Democrats select Bridget Fox for 'most marginal' Islington South and FInsbury (CAMPAIGN FOR GENDER BALANCE)

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Liberal Democrats select Bridget Fox for 'most marginal' Islington South and FInsbury

February 23, 2007 12:00 AM

Islington Liberal Democrats have selected Bridget Fox as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (shadow MP) for Islington South & Finsbury, backing the local woman who so nearly won the seat last time, to go on & finish the job.

Bridget Fox has lived in Islington since 1992, first in Highbury, then for many years in Barnsbury and now just off Essex Road . In 2005, as the Lib Dem candidate in Islington South & Finsbury, she made history by converting a previously safe Labour seat into the most marginal Labour/Lib Dem fight in England , with a massive 12% swing: Labour's majority is now just 484 votes. Now Bridget has been chosen by local Liberal Democrats as their candidate to win next time.

And Bridget has responded by calling for Tony Blair to quit Downing Street immediately and let the voters have their say in a General Election.

Bridget says "Tony Blair left Islington for Downing Street ten years ago, with so many high hopes. But since then, Labour has let Islington, Finsbury and the country down.

"There have been so many betrayals, from insulting pension rises to broken promises on tuition fees. The extra money promised for the NHS has been tied up in targets, while patients are told there's no money for drugs. And now we have the scandal of loans for peerages - and the shame of war in Iraq . Tony took us to war ; and Gordon signed the cheques.

"Liberal Democrats want our troops out of Iraq by October, and Tony Blair out of Downing Street now! Gordon Brown & Tony Blair may have cooked up their plans at Granita on Upper Street ; but Islington & Finsbury residents have their own ideas and must have their own say. It's time for Tony & his cronies to go."

Emma Gowers, Chair of Islington Liberal Democrats, says "We have selected a first-rate candidate in Bridget. She is a hard-working local campaigner who knows Islington & Finsbury well, and is passionate about helping local people. Voters know how close Bridget came last time and are willing her to succeed. If Labour lose a single seat it will be Islington South & Finsbury; and Bridget will be a fantastic MP for our area.

Bridget Fox has a long record of campaigning in Islington, including as a school governor, councillor for Barnsbury Ward 1998-2006, and a board member of Groundwork Camden & Islington. Bridget is an award-winning environmental campaigner and is currently campaigning to improve Essex Road station. She active in many local groups, from St Mary's church to the Friends of Morton Road park. In her spare time Bridget enjoys singing, cinema, and relaxing with her partner Richard, family & friends.