Islington Lib Dems Elect New Leader

1.24.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th May 2006

Islington Liberal Democrats have elected a new Council Leadership. Cllr James Kempton is their new group leader and the Liberal Democrat nominee for Leader of the Council.

Joining him will be two new Deputy Leaders, Cllr Terry Stacy and Cllr Lucy Watt.

They will lead a strong team of 24 councillors, the largest group on the Council.

The new team's key aim is to renew the Liberal Democrat approach to improving council services which has served Islington so well over the past six years. Residents acknowledge the Audit Commission's verdict that this is the fastest improving Council in the Country and that improvement is continuing. Alongside this, listening to residents will be at the heart of what this administration and the Council does.

Acknowledging the close result, new leader James Kempton said, "This was a wake up call, and we will listen to what residents have said.

"Islington is, and will continue to be a listening Council. We need to communicate more, get better at sharing the choices and challenges Islington faces and listening and responding to what our residents want."

Cllr James Kempton added, "On the doorsteps people have made it very clear that they recognise the remarkable improvements the Lib Dems have made to Islington Council since 2000. They overwhelmingly welcome us getting Council Tax down from being the highest in London to below the London average - and the dramatic improvements they have seen in Council services across the board. Islington has changed in the last 6 years, and it has changed for the better.

"People voted last week to change the way the Lib Dems run the council. We have listened to them and will make sure we do continue to listen. It is our job now to continue to improve Islington but to do so by being more open with local people and encouraging better engagement with them.