Longstanding Staple Tye councillor Lorna Spenceley and former councillor Chris Robins have been nominated as the Liberal Democrat candidates for Staple Tye in the council elections on 4 May. Lorna says:

"On Thursday 4 May, I'll be asking you to re-elect me to represent Staple Tye as your Liberal Democrat councillor. I'm also going to ask you to support my colleague Chris Robins to join Cllr Su Lawton and myself on the Staple Tye team.

Normally, residents will elect only one local councillor each year. However this year Cllr Mike Faccini has decided that he can no longer commit the time to carry out this important role, and will be stepping down as a Staple Tye councillor in May. I am sure you will want to join me in thanking Mike for his hard work on behalf of local residents since he was elected four years ago.

I've been privileged to work with Chris for a number of years; he's a regular worshipper at St James' church as well as editor of our FOCUS newsletter. I have every confidence that he'll be a tremendous asset to the local team.

Liberal Democrats have a record of caring for Staple Tye that just can't be beaten. The area has chosen Liberal Democrat councillors for over thirty years. The Liberal Democrat team has solved hundreds of problems for local residents. And we keep in touch all year round - not just with our regular FOCUS newsletter, but also on the internet.

Over the last year, shopping hatches and estates have benefited from town-wide clean-ups. Playgrounds are getting major investment. And we've made it a priority to deal with anti-social behaviour and with the minority of people who ruin Harlow for everyone else.

Since 2002, Liberal Democrats have had a strong and positive influence on Harlow Council. We were shocked by the waste under the old council, and we have worked hard to keep Harlow's share of the council tax down. This year, Harlow's council tax increase is one of the lowest in the country!

Nationally, Tony Blair is failing the very people who elected him and Labour in 1997. Locally, Harlow needs the Liberal Democrats to keep Labour in check. Remember the 'Shambolic!' headlines the old council earned? With the Liberal Democrats on board that's a thing of the past!

The Conservatives can't win here; Staple Tye is always a close contest between Liberal Democrats and Labour. Only a vote for the Liberal Democrats can give Staple Tye the strong voice it needs. And only Liberal Democrats really do keep in touch all year round - not just at election time."