Lib Dems choose Local Candidate

Written by Michael Broomhead and published in Buxton Advertiser on Thu 11th Feb 2010

Cllr Stevens - Lib Dem Candidate

A WELL-KNOWN local cricketer has been named the Liberal Democrats' Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for High Peak at the next General Election.

New Mills Town Councillor Alistair Stevens beat High Peak Borough Cllr David Lomax at a packed meeting last Friday.

A former professional and semi-professional with Lancashire County Cricket Club, 51-year-old Cllr Stevens has worked in junior cricket since the early 1990s, coaching scores of promising young players.

Cllr Stevens said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to have been selected.

"Make no mistake, with boundary changes in High Peak, massive public anger over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the sheer ineffectual blandness of the Tories, this seat is winnable by the Liberal Democrats.

"I intend to make it happen."

Over the coming three months, Cllr Stevens intends to come down hard on Labour and the Tories.

At a meeting after his selection, he announced plans for:

• More affordable and social housing across the High Peak;

• More investment in jobs, particularly for young people;

• More money for rural bus and train services;

• Lower business rates for small businesses currently struggling;

• Immediate help for hill farmers and action on supermarkets to ensure better farm gate prices

Cllr Stevens said: "If I'm elected, these are my priorities.

"There's a growing feeling for change in the political order in the High Peak - and the country.

"We have a first-rate team headed by Nick Clegg and Vince Cable - and voters are crying out for a fairer Britain.

"Let's make it happen."