MIKE TUFFREY ELECTED NEW LEADER OF LIB DEMS IN LONDON ASSEMBLY

5.30.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th May 2006

The Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesman Mike Tuffrey has been unanimously elected as the new group leader for the Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly today.

He succeeds Graham Tope, who has lead the group since 2000.

Commenting, Mike Tuffrey said:

"The Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly are often said to punch above their weight. For that we have Graham to thank who has lead us admirably for the past six years.

'This is an important time for Londoners with a Labour government that has lost its way and a Labour Mayor who is increasingly arrogant and out of touch.

'I will put the issues that really matter to London at the heart of my leadership: reducing crime and the fear of crime, better investment in a sustainable public transport and pushing for more affordable housing.

'The Liberal Democrats made advances in the local elections and we now have the most ever councillors in London, with more votes and a broader spread of representation.

'I will build on Graham's legacy and fight for a positive and progressive alternative in London against the sleaze and spin with which Labour has become synonymous."

ENDS

Notes to the Editors:

1. Mike was first elected to the GLC, representing Vauxhall in 1985. From 1990 to 2002 he was an elected member of Lambeth Council and served for eight years as Liberal Democrat Group Leader, including four years as a joint council leader when the Liberal Democrats were the largest party.

2. Mike Tuffrey remains as the Lib Dem Environment spokesman on the London Assembly