Local Resident chosen as New Candidate

For the first time in many years a genuinely local candidate will be standing for the Epsom & Ewell parliamentary constituency at the next General Election. Cllr. Jonathan Lees, a young family man who lives and works in Epsom, has been chosen to be the new Liberal Democrat candidate.

Jonathan has lived in the area for nearly 15 years and has been actively involved in the local community throughout that time, running a focused community project for Young People, establishing residents' forums and serving as a trustee on various trusts. Jonathan has run youth clubs and children's clubs and has also served on a variety of local committees concerned with community affairs. Recently he helped to re-establish his local residents association.

Following his selection by local party members at a well-attended "Hustings" meeting in Bourne Hall, Cllr. Lees said "For too long we have had people shipped in to fight in parliamentary elections. If they move to the Constituency, it is only after they win. For once, the people of Epsom and Ewell will have the opportunity to vote for someone who is already part of this community, an opportunity to pick somebody who knows the issues that really matter to local residents!"

Jonathan is one of the Borough Councillors for Stamford ward and is also a Governor of Stamford Green School. After starting his career in a bank, he now works in community development with a local social housing provider. His wife Melanie is a Governor of the new Southfield Park primary school, which their eldest son Ethan attends. Jon and Mel are active members of a local church in Ewell and both of them are already well-known where they now live on the new Manor Park estate in Epsom.

Jonathan has been involved in politics since he worked for Simon Hughes MP (London Mayoral candidate) in his constituency in London. He joined the Liberal Democrats because he recognised the value of their grass roots ethos and realised that their well thought out policies (such as getting rid of Council Tax) are fair and sustainable and will make a real difference to the people of this country.

Jonathan has an extensive network of friends and colleagues throughout the local community. In addition many residents have already met him during the 2003 council election, at the Epsom Common open day or through the ward councillors' regular advice surgeries. Other people have met him campaigning in Epsom High Street and Stoneleigh Broadway to "Axe the Tax" and "Scrap Tuition Fees" - or read about his "Fair Trade" motion at the Borough Council. He now looks forward to meeting more of the people in Ashtead, Nork and Tattenhams, all of which are also in the Constituency.

Above all, Jonathan Lees is passionately committed to seeing the whole Epsom & Ewell constituency change for the better. If anybody can make a difference, he can.