James Rideout is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the council by-election in Harlow Common on 12 June. The by-election is caused by the sad death of former councillor Greg Peck. Greg was completely committed to Harlow Common and as Harlow Common's new councillor James has pledged to continue that commitment.

James and the team have been out and about meeting residents across the ward. James says:

"In Harlow's elections on 1 May, every single Labour candidate was defeated. Labour now have only six councillors left in Harlow, and are the third party, behind the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives locally and nationally.

It's clear that Harlow residents want to send the Government a strong message. They're fed up with spin over substance. The abolition of the 10p tax rate without a thought for those on low incomes. The crisis in housing without a thought for young people, first-time buyers and low-income tenants. The pressure on local councils towards high council tax without a thought for those who cannot afford it - especially among the elderly and those on fixed incomes.

The Conservatives have no answers. They didn't oppose the Government in scrapping the 10p tax rate, though the Liberal Democrats did. They backed Blair's war in Iraq. Their record on our local schools and roads is appalling.

It's the Liberal Democrats who make the difference - locally and nationally. We've championed the environment. When Labour would have signed away council homes under regeneration schemes like the ones in Prentice Place and Clifton Hatch, it was the Liberal Democrats who got the council to look again. A Liberal Democrat government would replace council tax with a fair system based on ability to pay.

This by-election can't change who runs the council. But as a resident of Harlow Common, your vote can send a strong message on Thursday 12 June. Your vote for the Liberal Democrats will say how badly Labour have let us down, locally and nationally.
It will also say you're not prepared to let the Conservatives damage Harlow Council services in the same way that they've damaged Essex County Council services. It's the Conservatives who are closing Brays Grove School, risked the future of The Square and let our roads and paving crumble.

If you elect me on 12 June, I will be part of a strong team listening to, and working for, local people. Unlike other parties, the Liberal Democrats aren't funded by big business or the trade unions. So we're free to put YOU first."