Leading RESPECT member, Nadia Fazal, joins the Liberal Democrats

6.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 19th Jul 2006

Nadia Fazal (seen with Councillor Ian Shires) joining the Liberal Democrats

A leading member of RESPECT has joined the Liberal Democrats. Nadia Fazal who was the RESPECT candidate in Walsall South last year's General Election and was also a candidate in this year's local elections in Walsall.

Welcoming Nadia to the Liberal Democrats, Walsall Council Group Leader Ian Shires said "Nadia brings a wealth of experience to the Liberal Democrats and will play an active role in our expansion of the Liberal Democrats across the Borough."

Nadia said that she had become increasingly disenchanted with the antics of the RESPECT Party's leadership and came to the Liberal Democrats because of the Party's stance on Iraq and the genuine concerns around inequality at a local level.

Nadia said "Firstly I would like to thank everyone that has supported me over the last two years and hope that they will understand that my politics have not changed but I feel I can do more with the support of the Liberal Democrats in helping the people of Walsall. Before joining the Liberal Democrats, the Labour Party approached me to join them - I could not join them - they are the Party that took our country to war in Iraq, I could not join them and look my children in the eye when I tell them they should stand-up for what they believe in."