Liberal Democrats select Nigel Bakhai for Ealing Southall

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In a by election that the party leader's future hinges on

Nigel Bakhai has being selected by Ealing Southall Liberal Democrats to try and wrestle the seat from Labour after the death of Piara Khabra...

Much hinges on Bakhai, who doubled the Lib Dem vote at the 2005 General Election. Then the Liberal Democrats were seen as the main challengers to Labour in the seat coming were second with 24 per cent of the vote.

But the Tories are expected to improve their position considerably this time, with some Conservative insiders reportedly predicting that their candidate Tony Lit, popular Asian radio station boss who only joined the party last week, could win in the seat, which currently has a 11,440 Labour majority.

If this is the case the national press are predicting devastating consequences for Lib Dem Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, already unpopular with a group of MPs and peers. Should he come third, he will be called to step down.

"If we come third he will have to go. We are hoping he will go off on his summer holidays with a pearl handled revolver in his suitcase," one senior Lib Dem parliamentarian told a newspaper.

Meanwhile Liberal Democrat Nigel Bakhai has started his campaign by focusing on Labour:

“Living in the heart of the constituency I know the issues that local people face," he said. "Labour has taken our area for granted for too long.

“This election is about local people electing the best MP to represent our area.

“People here want to know why our streets aren’t safe, why the local NHS is in deficit and why the government squandered millions on an illegal war in Iraq.”

Lord Rennard, Liberal Democrat Chief Executive said, Nigel is a first class candidate and a very experienced local campaigner. The Liberal Democrats are the main challengers in this seat. We were second at the last General Election when our vote doubled.

“Labour know this and are running scared. They have called this by-election at extremely short notice because they know that the Liberal Democrats are the main threat.

“Many Liberal Democrat MPs have already been out campaigning in the constituency over the last few days. Menzies Campbell is set to visit Ealing Southall several times in the next few weeks to take the fight to Labour.”

July 2, 2007