Lib Dems target Derby North

12.53.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 1st Aug 2008

Lucy Care

Liberal Democrats in Derby yesterday warned Bob Laxton Labour MP for Derby North that he should find a new job before the next General election because we are working hard to win Derby North at the next election.

Labour has held the constituency for 11 years but with a dwindling majority, loosing control of the City Council to the Lib Dems in May and the coming third in the Darley by-election in July the writing looks to be on the wall for Gordon Brown's man.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said his party would put extra resources, possibly financial or in manpower, into a Derby North battle.

"Recent by-elections have shown there is no such thing as a safe Labour seat," and "The Government is tearing itself to pieces and people are sick of the spin and in-fighting".

"I'm determined to show people in Derby there's a positive alternative to a poisoned Labour party and the empty rhetoric of the Tories."

Since 1997, we have increased our share of the vote in general elections from 9% to 16% in 2005.