Baroness Williams urges voters to say no to Labour in Southwark

6.13.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 28th Mar 2006

Dame Shirley Williams at the fundraising dinner for Southwark Liberal Democrats

Lib Dem Peer Baroness Shirley Williams has urged voters to send Tony Blair and his cronies a strong message in the local elections that Labour cannot continue to take local people for granted.

Her comments were made at a fundraising dinner for Southwark Liberal Democrats, held at Tas restaurant on Borough High Street, where she was the guest speaker.

Baroness Williams, a former Labour minister in the Wilson and Callaghan Governments, praised Southwark Lib Dems for making such progress in the last four years and encouraged candidates and campaigners to make sure Southwark voters gave Blair a bloody nose in May.

She also spoke about the growing need for reform of the House of Lords in light of the recent 'paying for peerages' scandal.

Baroness Williams said:

"This election will give voters in Southwark the chance to show Tony Blair and the Labour Party that they cannot continue to take people for granted. Southwark Liberal Democrats have made huge improvements and I hope residents give the Lib Dems the mandate to carry on this good work."

On Lords reform, Baroness Williams said:

"The huge flow of Government legislation makes the scrutiny function of the House of Lords indispensable. Time and again it is the Lords that bring common sense to bear, as with Identity Cards."

"But it should be a House with an elected majority. It is the one clear way to abolish the scandals around paying for peerages. Meanwhile every party must come clean on who are donors to it and who are making loans."

Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, added:

"Shirley gave a great speech to rally our troops for the local elections."

"We have a lot to be proud of in Southwark and I have no doubt that in May Southwark residents will reward my colleagues in the council for their hard work."

Cllr Nick Stanton, Liberal Democrat Leader of Southwark Council, said:

"We are extremely grateful to Shirley for coming to speak to us and particularly sharing her thoughts on the ongoing 'cash for peerages' saga."

"Nationally and locally we will continue to campaign for more transparency and honesty in the way we provide services."