MPs and London Assembly candidate welcome Lib Dem mayoral candidate back to Sutton

2.54.18pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Jan 2008

The Sutton and Croydon candidate for the London Assembly Abigail Lock and local MPs Paul Burstow and Tom Brake were pleased to welcome the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London Brian Paddick to Sutton recently, as he came to see first hand the problems that face the area.

Brian visited the much beleaguered St Helier Hospital - for which it is hoped that there will be a solution soon, and also Sutton train station where he carried out a survey of passengers using this busy station.

During his time in Sutton Borough, Brian returned to his old school and a local Post Office in Middleton Circle to hear about the threat of widespread closures which loom over these essential community services.

Abigail Lock said:

"Brian grew up in Sutton and unlike the others would be a mayor for more than zone one. He has the knowledge, experience and commitment needed to serve the whole of London".

Paul Burstow MP said:

"Sutton can't afford another four years of Ken. With the Conservatives chosing a comedian as a candidate, Brian Paddick has what it takes to be a Mayor for the whole of London".

Tom Brake, who is Brian's Campaign Chair, said:

"Brian has first hand experience of St Helier Hospital and is right behind the campaign to save the Hospital and its Accident and Emergency Unit."

Brian Paddick said:

"My niece was born in St Helier and both of my parents have had lengthy stays in the hospital. It was only because there was a hospital locally that my mum and I were able to visit my father regularly. Whether it is post offices, police stations or hospitals, economic arguments are ignoring people. I am passionate about keeping local services for local people".