Stephen Kearney: I will be a local MP

9.19.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 14th May 2008

Stephen Kearney: I will be a strong local champion for our local communities

Henley Liberal Democrats have selected Stephen Kearney to be their candidate for the expected Henley-on-Thames by-election. Stephen Kearney, 49, is Chief Executive of an international development charity (Action to Regenerate Community Trust - www.regeneratetrust.com) that works in Africa and the UK.

Stephen Kearney said:

"I want to be a very energetic and local MP taking up the concerns of people across the whole of the area. As the local MP I will keep in touch with local people all year round and hold regular advice surgeries across the area. I will be a strong local champion for our local communities.

"I will speak out on the issues that matter to local people such as the loss of local Post Offices, policing and the environment. I will be a full-time MP for this area, living and working in its communities and fighting to safeguard local services.

"People feel let down by a Labour Government that is out of touch. Gordon Brown's Government simply doesn't understand how the loss of vital services such as local Post Offices harms the community. People have told me that they are very concerned about the economy, policing and the threat to local services.

"The by-election will be a close fight between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. Everyone knows that Labour cannot win here in Henley. Labour finished in a poor third place last time.

"The Liberal Democrat campaign is already off to a flying start we already have a headquarters in Thame and will campaign in every part of the constituency. Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has already written to thousands of local residents asking their views on key issues such as crime, our environment and local health services.

"Now all we are waiting for is for Boris Johnson to keep his word and stand down as the MP for Henley. The Liberal Democrats are ready whenever he decides to do that and we will be fighting to win."

Mr Kearney pledged at a local party meeting in Benson last night to make a permanent move to the Henley constituency if he is elected as MP.

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View / download a full size photo of Stephen Kearney.