Successful local campaigner to stand in Weavers' by-election

1.12.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 9th Mar 2008

John Griffiths

Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrats have selected experienced former Councillor John Griffiths to stand for election in Weavers' ward. The by-election is required because of the resignation, for health reasons, of popular sitting Councillor, Louise Alexander.

John Griffiths served as the ward Councillor for Bethnal Green North from 2002-6, when he:

• organised and led the successful campaign to oppose the Labour Council's threatened closure of York Hall leisure centre. York Hall has recently undergone a major multi-million pound refurbishment and is more popular than ever;

• uncovered evidence of fraudulent misuse of public funds for the area's regeneration by the ruling Labour administration, eventually resulting in the resignations of 3 Labour Councillors and successful prosecutions;

• chaired Local Area Partnership ("LAP 1") - 3 wards in Bethnal Green including Weavers - which was widely regarded as the most effective of the LAPs in the Borough for engaging local people and influencing service providers;

• campaigned against unpopular developments in the Borough, including the threatened closure of Bethnal Green library and the planned Foyer at the Mildmay hospital site on Hackney Road;

• questioned the Council's spending of £25m of public money on the Rich Mix Arts Centre on Bethnal Green, at the expense of other much needed investments.

John said he was determined to follow in Louise Alexander's footsteps and work tirelessly to represent the interests of the people of Weavers ward. "Too many local people have been let down by this Labour government and by this Labour Council. It is incredible that under Labour the divide between rich and poor has got wider, and nowhere is this more evident than in a ward like Weavers bordering on the spectacular wealth of the City."

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Stephanie Eaton, said, "John combines hard work with a fierce sense of social justice. His track record shows that he will be a real asset to the Council and a champion for the people of Weavers."

• John has lived in Tower Hamlets since 1995 and has been active in local affairs ever since, including setting up the Old Ford Road Residents' Association to campaign for improved road and community safety, and the York Hall Users' Group which became the Save York Hall campaign.

• He and his wife, Lulu Grimes, currently live in Old Ford Road with their young son.

• John is a founding Director of Rocket Science UK Ltd., a research and consulting company, employing 22 people from offices in London, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

• John is a graduate in history from the University of Cambridge. He also holds a Masters Degree from the University of Alabama.

For further information contact: Cllr. Stephanie Eaton 07941 303976 or John Griffiths 07887 643980