Lionel Blackman stands for Lib Dems in Woodcote by-election
For the Woodcote by-election, the Liberal Democrats have chosen the well-known local solicitor Lionel Blackman, who lives in the heart of Woodcote ward. Lionel wants to see Woodcote get a better deal. He says "I think Woodcote residents have been well served by their Lib Dem councillors in the past. They were utterly committed, reliable and professional. I am determined to carry on their good work."
"This by-election has been caused by the resignation of a Residents' Association councillor. With few votes in 2003 between the Lib Dems and the RA party, now is the opportunity to put the Lib Dems back in Woodcote."
Lionel Blackman has lived in Epsom & Ewell since early childhood. Educated at Sutton Grammar school and NESCOT, he now runs his own legal aid practice in Epsom. He has two children, both born at Epsom Hospital. The elder one now attends St. Martin's Infants school. His hobbies are politics, history, music and walking.
For several years Lionel was vice-chairman of the Epsom & Ewell Police Consultative Group and assisted in the creation of the borough's first Crime Prevention Panel. He is a founder member and current vice-chairman of the Solicitors' Human Rights Group.
Lionel Blackman is the only solicitor to have won a case in the country's highest court, the House of Lords. He believes one of his strengths as a councillor will be the robust scrutiny of the council's spending of your money.