PAUL MOSS, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Denton and Reddish constituency at the next General Election has spectacularly joined Labour.
 
Paul Moss said:

“The Liberal Democrats talk a good fight, but that’s all it is – talk.  I have seen how the Lib Dems in Stockport have completely ignored local people and have helped to seriously damage communities like Reddish through their uncaring policies.  At the same time, Tameside’s Labour Council have shown how, by working with local residents rather than against them, you can deliver the best services to a community.”
 
Commenting on the forthcoming Reddish North and Denton North East by-elections, Paul said:

“There are two important by-elections in the Denton and Reddish constituency; one in the Tameside part and one in Stockport, both caused by the sad deaths of extremely hard-working Labour Councillors.  I felt I could not campaign under the Lib Dem banner any longer and that is why I am now actively campaigning for Labour’s Denise Ward in Denton and David Wilson in Reddish.  They are both firmly rooted in the community and will make excellent Councillors and I urge people to support their campaigns.”
 
And on the fate of the Lib Dems nationally he added:

“Nationally, the Liberal Democrats are a complete joke. They have not made any progress at all under the leadership of Nick Clegg and in fact look set to lose scores of seats at the next General Election.  Ineffective leadership at the top, unpopular, incoherent and un-costed policies and the complete lack of the drive and ambition they had in the past means that in all honesty I could no longer be their Parliamentary candidate. “
 
“I’m a local lad, and to have stood for Parliament here would have been an honour, but it is only honourable when you believe in the political platform you are standing on.  Having torn with my conscience, I have concluded the Lib Dems do not have the right programme for Britain’s future and that Labour’s real achievements in government, particularly their massive investment in education and health and helping the poorest in society through the minimum wage and other measures, need to protected against the risk of the Tories being returned to power.  That’s why I have resigned as the Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Denton and Reddish and have formally joined the Labour Party.”
 
Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, Andrew Gwynne, said:

“I welcome Paul to the Labour Party here in Denton and Reddish.  I know how hard he has struggled with his conscience for some time and has tried to balance his duty as the General Election candidate with his private views about where the Lib Dems were heading on policy.  Given his commitment to fighting for public services and social justice, Paul is a welcome addition to the Labour Party.”