Labour pick controversial ex-Council Leader Sir Peter Soulsby

Reacting to the news that controversial ex-Council Leader Peter Soulsby has been chosen as Tony Blair's man for the forthcoming parliamentary by-election, Stuart Bray the Lib Dem Agent for Leicester South said:

"Local residents will be furious at the choice of the person most noted for awarding himself fat cat pay rises when he was the top Labour man on Leicester Council and for the massive Council Tax rises he inflicted on local residents.

"How can Labour expect people to back the man who closed six schools across the City, closed homes for our elderly and shut down St Margaret's Baths.

"His selection will split the Labour Party in Leicester from top to bottom. Everyone remembers his high profile falling out with former fellow councillors and a neighbouring MP.

"He lost to the Liberal Democrats when the voters of Spinney Hills rejected him last May. The choice is between the local Lib Dem who will serve all the people of Leicester South or a Labour MP who will serve Tony Blair."