Sedgemore gives green light for disaffected Labour (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Sedgemore gives green light for disaffected Labour

April 26, 2005 5:14 PM

Former Labour MP Brian Sedgemore, who represented neighbouring Hackney South and Shoreditch from 1983 until standing down this year, is leaving Labour to join the Liberal Democrats. Mr Sedgemore, 68, who has been a Labour party member for 37 years, urges wavering voters to "give Mr Blair a bloody nose" by voting Liberal Democrat to stop Labour retaining its large majority.

Bridget Fox said: "Brian Sedgemore's decision gives the green light for so many disaffected Labour voters to switch to the Liberal Democrats this time. The Tories cannot win here, and Labour do not deserve to. Brian Sedgemore speaks for thousands in our area who want to take a principled stand against the war, against top-up fees and against Blair's Labour party."

Laura Willoughby said "Brian Sedgemore's comments show that even if you have a Labour MP that voted against the war - you are still voting for Blair on may the 5th by voting Labour.

"It is time for a change in Islington.

"Labour minister Ruth Kelly says that people unhappy with New Labour and Blair's leadership should leave Labour. Thanks to this kind of arrogance, thousands of former Labour voters in Islington will be doing just that at this election. As Brian Sedgemore's stand shows, it's time fr the Liberal Democrats."

Brian Sedgemore is a former journalist, civil servant and barrister. He was Labour MP for Luton West 1974-1979. He was then Labour MP for Hackney South & Shoreditch 1983 - 2005. He has been an opponent of the Iraq war and a long term supporter of freedom of information, Europe and civil liberties. He voted with the Liberal Democrats on jury trials, the 2005 and 2001 terrorism bills, ID cards, top up fees, the Iraq war and freedom of information. He was a Treasury Select Committee member from 1983 to 2001.

Charles Kennedy said: "Brian Sedgemore's message for other people who are considering voting Labour but who are unhappy with the Party's policies on Iraq, tuition fees and civil liberties is clear. At this election the only Party which has taken principled stands on these issues is the Liberal Democrats. They should follow their beliefs and vote Liberal Democrats - certain in the knowledge that however they vote, Michael Howard's Conservatives cannot win this election."