LIBERAL Democrats in Suffolk Central and Ipswich North have chosen their candidate to challenge Conservative MP Sir Michael Lord at the next General Election.

By Graham Dines

LIBERAL Democrats in Suffolk Central and Ipswich North have chosen their candidate to challenge Conservative MP Sir Michael Lord at the next General Election.

Andrew Houseley, 42, who was born and brought up in Suffolk and lives at Parham where he is a parish councillor, has been a Lib Dem activist for the past 20 years, and has been agent for the party in a number of local government by-elections.

He masterminded the party's election strategy in North Ipswich earlier this year, which contributed to Labour losing control of the borough council for the first time in 25 years.

At his selection meeting in Henley, Mr Houseley – who works as a human resources manager for an engineering contractor – said the abolition of council tax and the need to "carefully manage" urban sprawl would be prime election issues in a "strong, local campaign."

Mr Houseley added: "The rural parts of the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Constituency are attractive for commuters and retired people. However, for those with no reliable transport or access to supermarket prices, life is increasingly hard."

Sir Michael, who has been MP for 21 years, is Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. He had a majority in 2001 of 3,469 over Labour, which has selected Ipswich councillor Neil Macdonald as its candidate.

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