Conservative Candidate joins Derby Lib Dems

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th Sep 2005

People of all parties and none have been turning to the Lib Dems in Derby

Derby Liberal Democrats have today welcomed one of their latest recruits, Grahame Elson, to their party. Mr Elson was until a few weeks ago the Conservative Party's prospective candidate for the City Council ward of Boulton.

However, Mr Elson had become increasingly disappointed with the Conservative Party and decided to join the Lib Dems. Mr Elson said, "I thought that the Conservatives represented my views, but I now realise that this was not the case. After looking closely at the Lib Dem's policies it became clear that they stood for the values I believe".

Delighted by his decision, Cllr Lucy Care, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Derby said, "Grahame is not the only ex-Conservative to have realised how much the Lib Dems have to offer. Across the UK, especially in towns and cities many former Conservative voters have been changing to the Lib Dems. In cities like Sheffield, Newcastle, Manchester and Bristol the Lib Dems have replaced the Conservatives as the only effective alternative to Labour. This is increasingly becoming the case in Derby, and Grahame's defection is further evidence of this."