Troubled Times For Blair

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 14th Sep 2003

Angered by the war in Iraq and the neglect of our area, local people are expected to send Tony Blair a strong message in Thursday's by-election. After six years of Labour rule, many residents are asking why they haven't done more for local people?

Sarah Teather said, "I have spoken to thousands of people across our area in recent months. People tell me how disappointed they are with six years of Labour rule that promised so much, but has delivered so little."

"The main complaints from residents include long waiting times at hospitals, a failure to tackle crime and the state of our area. There is also widespread disgust at the way the Government has handled the issue of Iraq."

Sarah Teather said, "The only way to tell Labour how unhappy we are is by backing the Lib Dems on Thursday. Staying at home or voting for other parties will just let Labour win again."