Liberal Democrats nominate Tony Bowden for Alcombe East

12.03.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Apr 2008

Left to right: Minehead County Councillor Ian Galloway, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset Theo Butt Philip, Alcombe East by-election candidate Tony Bowden

The Liberal Democrats have announced that Tony Bowden will be their candidate in the Alcombe East by-election.

There will be a District Council by-election on 1st May in the Alcombe East Ward for West Somerset District Council, after the incumbent Conservative District Councillor was resigned.

Tony Bowden was elected to West Somerset Council in 1993, during his time on West Somerset he was respected for his commitment to undertaking his Council work.

Tony says:

'I don't just live in West Somerset - it's been my home all my life and I care very much about what happens here. I think the Tory Council we had before last May let us down. The Tories plunged the council into debt and sold off assets like Clanville Car Park to plug holes in the funds. As a result the new administration faces a £1million deficit and has had to raise council tax by the maximum allowed. This makes me angry! The Tories have demonstrated that they cannot be trusted to run our council, we must keep the Tories off West Somerset!

If elected I promise to listen to what is important to the people of this area and ensure those concerns and views get heard loud and clear at the District Council. The people of Alcombe East deserve to have a District Councillor they can trust to represent them fairly.'

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset said:

'Tony has been active in West Somerset for many years and has an excellent record to point to. I am confident that he would be a first rate councilor for Alcombe East."