GLYN FORD LOSES SUPPORT OF LABOUR ACTIVISTS

11.46.41am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 2nd Jun 2009

Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary election candidates for the South West are challenging Labour's Glyn Ford today over a reported lack of support within his own party.

In an article entitled 'MEPs we cannot afford to lose' in the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform (LCER) newsletter, Mr. Ford is not mentioned; despite having been an MEP for the South West for the past 10 years and chosen as first on the party's list for the region.

Commenting, European Parliamentary candidate Graham Watson - who is first on the Liberal Democrats' list for the 4 June elections - said:

"The omission of Mr. Ford's name from this list of revered MEPs within the Labour party clearly shows there is a problem of some kind with the way he is viewed by his party's own supporters.

It is time for Glyn and 'Old Labour' to get the message that they are now surplus to requirements.

I would urge those disillusioned Labour supporters to transfer their vote to the Liberal Democrats: the most modern and progressive choice."

ENDS