Charles Kennedy visits Islington

5.57.42pm GMT Thu 13th Jan 2005

Local Lib Dem prospective Parliamentary candidates Bridget Fox (Islington South and Finsbury) and Laura Willoughby (Islington North) today welcomed Liberal Democrat Leader Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP to Islington. He was also accompanied by Lib Dem Shadow Education Secretary Phil Willis MP.

Mr Kennedy was visiting Islington Council's Early Years Centre at New River Green, to see for himself the excellent work with young children being done in Islington, and to highlight the Liberal Democrat commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life.

Bridget Fox said "Liberal Democrat-run Islington has an outstanding record nationally for the excellent services we provide to children in their early years - so it is a pleasure to welcome Charles Kennedy to come and see for himself.

"In Islington the Lib Dems invest heavily in our children, which makes such a difference to giving them the best possible chances in life. The more Liberal Democrat MPs there are in the House of Commons, the more we will be able to increase investment in Early Years across the whole country."

Laura Willoughby said "The Labour Government is putting too much money which should be going into vital Early Years education, into the wrong place. They are putting money into a Child Trust Fund so that when they are older the children can pay their student fees.

"Liberal Democrats would simply abolish tuition and top-up fees altogether, and spend the money on children when it matters most and makes the biggest difference - in the early years."

The Facts

1. Islington is one of the Liberal Democrats' top target areas for the coming General Election, where they are widely tipped to pick up at least one of the two Parliamentary seats from Labour.

2. Islington Council provides a range of outstanding early years services, with many centres, including New River Green, winning many national awards.