Took Appalled By Ashford Labour Party

12.44.58am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 10th Apr 2005

Labour, denying their own supporters a local vote

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Chris Took has hit out at the decision of Labour officials to stand only four candidates in the forthcoming county council election.

Of the five parties contesting the County Council elections only the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative party have decided to stand candidates in each of the seven available divisions.

"I find it staggering that Labour was unable to field a candidate in three out of seven divisions, it is an insult to their hardened supporters" said Mr Took.

Labour's decision means that voters in Ashford Rural South will have the opportunity to vote for one of only three candidates; a Conservative, a former Conservative and our very own Emily Neighbour, the Liberal democrat candidate.

In Tenterden Labour's decision means that voters have a straightforward choice between the Conservative candidate and Liberal Democrats Barry Wright.

Mr Took added "It shows just how far the Labour party have fallen. Of the five parties contesting elections the Labour party has the fewest candidates."