Liberal Democrats want Labour votes at local elections

12.38.54pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 13th May 2009

The Liberal Democrats are appealing to Labour supporters across Kent to lend them their vote at the county council elections on June 4th to stop the Conservatives having such a stranglehold on County Hall.

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Trudy Dean has made a direct appeal to disaffected Labour voters, urging them to vote tactically.

She said: "It is very clear that there are a lot of very disappointed Labour voters who are dissatisfied with the Government. People feel Labour is very much out of touch with their voters.

"I am making a direct appeal to those voters and saying that if you stay at home, there will be an even greater Conservative majority. We do not think that a single-party state is good for democracy."

Fellow candidate Dan Daley said: "Democracy depends on an opposition. If we end up with more than 70 Conservative councillors, you will end up with no opposition at all. What we are saying to Labour voters is that there is an opportunity to vote tactically."

Trudy continued:

"People are fed up over the Icelandic money and are staggered by the level of top officers' salaries - both of which are being laid at the door of the Conservative administration."

The Lib Dems "Six to Fix" manifesto sets out a range of policy pledges and commitments that include proposals to slash the £6million spent by the council on publicity and a pledge to scrap Kent TV - the £1.2million internet station - when its two-year contract ends. You can see more on the proposals here: http://www.kentlibdems.org.uk/pages/2009Manifesto.html