It's Tory or Liberal Democrats in Epping Forest

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 24th Apr 2006

The Liberal Democrats are the only party who is putting up a candidate against the Conservatives in every ward across the Epping Forest District. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats will help elect a Lib Dem Councillor.

Waltham Abbey

The Epping Forest Labour Party has only selected one candidate in their once-stronghold of Waltham Abbey. Local Lib Dems Phil Chadburn and Peggy Ayre are campaigning with Waltham Abbey Lib Dem Councillor Pat Brooks on issues across the town. Recently Phil Chadburn conducted a survey to find out the views of Ninefields' residents on a wide range of issues from Crime to Parking and from Environment and recycling to youth facilities in the town.

Buckhurst Hill

The Buckhurst Hill Liberal Democrat FOCUS team work hard all year round. In 2004 the Conservative Party failed to stand any candidates in the Parish elections and the Lib Dems were re-elected unopposed. A sure sign that the Lib Dems were running the council well.

Peter Spencer is working with his Lib Dem colleagues on the Parish Council to secure the future of the Roding Centre.

At the end of last year the Conservatives only stood one candidate for the Parish By-election. 2 Lib Dem councillors (Jan McCulloch and Carol Taylor) were elected. The Labour Party did not stand any candidates in any of these elections.

Epping and Theydon Bois

In Epping and Theydon Bois you either have a Conservative Councillor or a hard working Lib Dem Councillor who keeps in touch all year round through regular FOCUS newsletters.

Janet Whitehouse has helped many local people with their concerns. Soon after being elected ten years ago she organised a survey to find out the needs of older people. The greatest need was transport and she has encouraged and been involved with the Epping Forest Community Transport for many years. She also campaigned to get the H1 bus rerouted through Ivy Chimneys and Centre Drive, introduced free electric blanket testing service for older people and helped start get the popular Handyperson scheme.

In Epping and Theydon Bois at the last County elections Janet Whitehouse came within 121 votes in winning the seat. Again the contest was between the Tories and the hardworking Lib Dems.

Chigwell

Last year at the Chigwell Village by-election Alan Lion increased the Lib Dem vote by a massive 20%. Recently Alan has been assisting the Lime Farm Regeneration Group, campaigning against the closure of Grange Hill underground station's ticket office and dealing with resident queries on the state of footways, parking and litter. In April 2006 Alan was elected unopposed to serve on Chigwell Parish Council. Residents are now questioning whether the Conservatives are really serious about serving the residents of Chigwell.

Loughton

Two years ago at the last local elections the Labour vote nose-dived across Loughton, reducing the number of Labour councillors by half. In contrast the Liberal Democrat vote surged in every ward. Local fairmead candidate Neil Woollcott is urging all Postal Voters to vote for the Liberal Democrat FOCUS team.

Across Epping Forest only a vote for the Liberal Democrats will help beat the Conservatives.