LIB DEM CAMPAIGNER TO CHALLENGE VAUXHALL MP

1.18.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 28th Apr 2007

Caroline at Vauxhall City Farm with Lamby, one of the new lambs, and long-standing farm volunteer Reece, 16.

Caroline Pidgeon has been selected by Vauxhall Liberal Democrats as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for the next General Election.

"I am thrilled to have been selected, and look forward to campaigning with Vauxhall Lib Dem councillors and members on a wide range of local issues" said Caroline. "From Lambeth Labour's shocking hike in home care charges for the most vulnerable, to the £5 billion cost of the Iraq War (£80 for every person in this country), I will expose Labour's record of failure, as well as promoting our positive policies and working hard for local people".

Caroline's first visit as Parliamentary Spokesperson was to Vauxhall City Farm where she adopted and fed Lamby the Wensleydale Sheep, one of the new-born lambs.

"Vauxhall City Farm is a vital resource for the community in north Lambeth and wider afield. It was a delight to visit and see their work first hand. We must ensure that the City Farm's work can continue, and that their funding is secure" added Caroline Pidgeon.

Commenting on Caroline's selection, Chair of Vauxhall Liberal Democrats, Geoffrey Bowring said:

"Vauxhall members have chosen a superb Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. Caroline has great experience of our area, having worked in local government and the NHS for many years, most recently at St Thomas' Hospital. She has proved herself an effective, hard-working and tireless campaigner for local people. Her valuable all round experience and energy gives the electors of Vauxhall a genuine choice at the next election, and I have no doubt that Caroline will provide a strong challenge to the Labour MP".

Caroline Pidgeon is Southwark Liberal Democrats' Deputy Leader, and was first elected to Newington Ward in the Kennington area in 1998, and re-elected for the third time in 2006. She is Executive Member for Children's Services and Education. She was the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Candidate in Lambeth and Southwark in 2004, winning around 31,000 votes, taking 10,000 off the Labour majority. Caroline is a Trustee of the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education based in Waterloo, and a Board Member of the Kennington-based Lambeth and Southwark Housing Association. Outside work, Caroline lives in Camberwell with her husband Paul, and enjoys going to the cinema and modern art.