Lib Dems to champion environment in Leicester South

10.20.20am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Jun 2004

Liberal Democrat candidate for Leicester South Parmjit Singh Gill has welcomed the fact that there will not be a Green Party candidate in the Leicester South by-election.

Speaking to Lib Dem supporters at the party's London Road HQ Councillor Gill said that the Liberal Democrats would champion environmental causes in the by-election.

"It could be a very close contest between the Lib Dems and Labour in this by-election. Votes for a Green candidate could only have helped Tony Blair to retain the seat.

Everybody should be concerned with environmental issues. At the General Election Friends of the Earth praised the Liberal Democrats for being the greenest of the main political parties.

On treatment of the environment by Labour and the Tories they said: "Why no leadership from virtually all mainstream politicians - Charles Kennedy so far being a notable exception - about this critical agenda?'.

The Liberal Democrats are the only party that can topple Tony Blair's party in Leicester South. As a local MP it will be my aim to work with the environmental movement for a greener Leicester."

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Friends of the Earth scored the parties at the General Election on the greenness their manifestos:

GREEN PARTY SCORE = 42/50

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT SCORE = 37½/50

LABOUR SCORE = 23/50

CONSERVATIVE SCORE = 6½/50

http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/4_party_manifesto_analysis.pdf