Ian Jenkins is Telford PPC for the LibDems

10.35.48am GMT Tue 15th Feb 2005

Ian Jenkins (right) at the meeting

Last night, IAN JENKINS was unanimously elected as the LibDems Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for the Telford constituency.

At a meeting in the Wellington Civic Centre, Ian presented his campaign plan to members, following which a number of policy issues were discussed. Ian previously stood for The Wrekin in the 1997 and 2001 general elections, and has connections with the area going back over many years. He previously served as Chairman of the Wellington party.

Ian is a 54 year old sales manager in the glass trade, and West Midlands Chair of Railfuture. He is looking forward to fighting this election on issues that really matter to the people of Telford. Ian said, "I am not surprised that many people are fed up with politics, and I can understand why they feel conned. The Blair government has used manipulation and spin over the last eight years, to try and deceive the voters about their policies.

"At the last election, they said they wouldn't raise Income Tax, and, strictly speaking, they haven't. But they have raised a host of other taxes, especially National Insurance, instead. Quite clearly, with New Labour, you have to read the small print. On tuition fees, on Iraq, on the environment, it's been 'Deception, Deception, Deception'. Enough is enough is enough!" In particular, he said that the LibDems would be trying to reach out to the younger electorate, especially first-time voters, who had lost trust in politicians.

Mr Jenkins reserved his biggest scorn for the Tories. They were a party of the past, which, when they were last in Government, actually reduced the number of police officers on the beat, and closed local police stations. And who was Home Secretary then? Oh, yes, Michael Howard! Ian and the LibDem team will be looking forward to meeting as many local residents as possible over the weeks leading up to the election. Keep in touch with his campaign here at www.wrekinlibdems.org.uk