Lib Dems announce full slate of candidates

Local Liberal Democrats today announced a full slate of candidates to contest the forthcoming local elections.

At the close of nominations the Liberal Democrats announced candidates for all 19 seats including the by-election called in Chipping Ongar, Greensted and Marden Ash. All current Lib Dem councillors will be seeking re-election.

Standing on a platform of fairness, local campaigners will be fighting for:

Fairer taxes that put money back in your pocket. The Liberal Democrats this year proposed a freeze in the district council tax. The Conservatives opposed these and decided to increase the council tax. Contrast this with Liberal Democrat-run Buckhurst Hill Parish Council which this year froze the parish's tax at last year's level.

A fair chance for every child. Liberal Democrat councillors campaign for improved facilities across the district. Liberal Democrat councillors in Buckhurst Hill have invested in local play facilities. Councillors Janet Whitehouse and Roland Frankel are supporting the efforts to re-open the youth centre in Theydon Bois.

A fair future: create jobs by making Britain greener. Local Liberal Democrats have forced the district council to work towards reducing its carbon footprint by 10% in 2010. They have also ensured that that a Town Centre Manager is in place to support local businesses during the current economic downturn. Councillor Janet Whitehouse was instrumental in setting up a Credit Union in Epping offering ethical local banking , convenient savings and low-cost loans. The Liberal Democrats campaigned hard to re-open local Post Offices in Buckhurst Hill and Epping.

A fair deal for you from your politicians. Liberal Democrat councillors are well-known for campaigning all year round keeping residents informed through their FOCUS newsletters. Since the last set of elections in 2009, Liberal Democrat campaigners have knocked on thousands of doors across the constituency listening to local residents' concerns.

Last year the Liberal Democrats came second in the number of votes polled across the district, with Labour, the Greens and BNP coming a distant third, fourth and fifth. In the recent Grange Hill by-election Gavin Chambers came within 43 votes of winning the seat from the Conservatives.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Jon Whitehouse said: "I look forward to the election campaign and the chance to discuss our plans with residents across Epping Forest. Liberal Democrat councillors have a well-deserved reputation for working hard and getting things done. We have a very strong team of candidates who are committed to their local communities and will make a real difference if they are elected."