Two Tory Councillors defect to Lib Dems in Preston

David Cameron's attempts to reach out to voters in the north of England came unstuck today as two Conservative councillors in Preston defected to the Liberal Democrats. Councillors Sharon Riley and Marie Milne joined the Liberal Democrats yesterday.

The blow for the Conservatives follows a Tory local election candidate commenting that an ethnic minority candidate "wouldn't work" in a "traditional working class seat." Joan Howarth has since issued a retraction but remains on the ballot for the May 4th local elections.

Norman Lamb MP, Sir Menzies Campbell's Chief of Staff, said:

"It is ridiculous for David Cameron to attack the UKIP as being closet racists one minute, but to fail to tackle extremism in his own party the next. If the Conservatives are remotely serious about changing and modernising, they should not be endorsing Joan Howarth's candidacy in the upcoming local elections. An extracted retraction of her offensive remarks is simply not good enough."

Sharon Riley, the new Liberal Democrat councillor in Fishwick ward, said:

"The Conservatives are simply unable to reach out and understand voters in metropolitan areas. I have been unimpressed by David Cameron and do not believe the Conservatives can fundamentally change. I'm delighted to join the Liberal Democrats and am confident the party will go from strength to strength. We are providing a genuine and real alternative to Labour, whilst the Conservatives remain out of touch."

Marie Milne, who has been a Conservative councillor for seventeen years and is now the Liberal Democrat councillor for Garrison ward, said:

"I have had enough of the Conservatives. It is the Liberal Democrats who are listening to local people and understand their needs. I am hugely looking forward to working with my new Liberal Democrat colleagues to represent the interests of local people."

John Lee, born and bred in Manchester, and former Conservative MP for Pendle, was announced as a new Liberal Democrat peer today. He said:

"While the Tories under David Cameron may well have had extensive plastic surgery, how much has really changed in the hearts and minds of their activists? A brief Mancunian 'city break' hardly demonstrates a fundamental commitment to the inner cities and is unlikely to fool hard headed voters. In our great cities, such as Manchester, the Liberal Democrats are the only serious alternative to Labour."