TOP TORY AIDE JOINS THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

1.05.39pm GMT Thu 27th Nov 2003

Edward Lord is welcomed to Cowley Street

Edward Lord, 31, Deputy Campaign Director to Tory mayoral hopeful Steve Norris today resigned from his post and from the Conservative Party to join the Liberal Democrats.

In a letter to Steve Norris he gave his reasons for leaving the Conservatives:

"Despite the removal of Iain Duncan Smith's malign influence, the Conservative Party shows no sign of changing. I can summon no enthusiasm for the leadership of Michael Howard who remains an unreconstructed authoritarian: uncaring, unfeeling and determined to suppress individuals' civil rights to conform to his moral doctrine.

Commenting today on his resignation from the Party and the Norris Campaign, Edward said:

"I have been a loyal member of the Conservative Party for sixteen years, but have found it increasingly difficult to cope with the extreme and highly illiberal agenda being pursued by its leadership. I began actively considering joining the Liberal Democrats earlier in the autumn and my decision was confirmed when Michael Howard was elected Conservative leader and commenced implementing his entirely unacceptable vision of politics.

"I came into politics aiming to be a catalyst for change: to improve things, to create a better more equal society. I always believed the Conservative Party, with its focus on individual freedom, was the right focus for that change. It has proved that it is not. Promoting economic freedom without social justice and liberty is immoral. Intolerance of diversity and difference is unacceptable. Liberal Democrats are the only party who truly stand for a free fair and open society."

Ends

Notes to editor

A copy of the letter is enclosed:-

27 November 2003

Steve Norris

12 Lancer Square

Kensington

London W8 4EH

BY FAX: 7361 7851

I am writing to let you know that I have decided to leave the Conservative Party. Just before Party Conference we enjoyed a positive and very frank discussion about the future and the need for the Party to change. We agreed that it needed to become much more open and inclusive, following your own lead and that of other enlightened figures such as Michael Portillo and John Bercow. Despite the removal of Iain Duncan Smith's malign influence, the Conservative Party shows no sign of changing. I can summon no enthusiasm for the leadership of Michael Howard who remains an unreconstructed authoritarian: uncaring, unfeeling and determined to suppress individuals' civil rights to conform to his own moral doctrine.

I came into politics aiming to be a catalyst for change: to improve things, to create a better more equal society. I always believed the Conservative Party, with its focus on individual freedom, was the right place to bring about that change. It has proved that it has not. Promoting economic freedom without social justice and liberty is immoral. Intolerance of diversity and difference is unacceptable. I can no longer support a Conservative Party which has such a small-minded approach to politics and have therefore decided that I must resign.

Anyone as committed as me to making a contribution to public life through the political process recognises that this can only be achieved through membership of a party. Therefore, after much thought and discussion with friends, I have decided to join the Liberal Democrats, which I believe is the only party truly dedicated to a free, fair and open society. Under these circumstances, it would be wrong of me to continue to serve on your campaign team. It is therefore with genuine regret that I must resign as your Deputy Campaign Director.

Personally, I wish you, Emma and Harry the very best for the future. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you and with Mark, Charlotte, Alex and Helen and am sorry that our professional relationship has to end this way. I hope the same will not apply to our friendship.

With best wishes,

C E LORD