Lib Dems select Jo Shaw as PPC in Holborn and St. Pancras

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 14th Feb 2007

At a packed meeting in the Irish Centre last night local school governor Jo Shaw was selected as the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras. Jo, who lives locally just off Chalk Farm Road, was one of the leading campaigners in the Liberal Democrats' success at the recent Kentish Town by election.

In her speech to members Jo stressed the importance of public services, protection of civil liberties, and a consensual approach to international relations. She also attacked the Blair government's refusal to release the promised funds to support the upkeep of council housing in Camden.

On being selected Jo said: 'I am delighted to be selected as the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras. I am incredibly proud to be given the chance to represent my party here, an area which I have known all my life.

"I look forward to carrying on the fantastic work that Jill Fraser did at the General Election in 2005 and which she continues to do as our first Liberal Democrat Mayor of Camden. At the last General Election, Labour's majority over the second placed Liberal Democrats was slashed to a very vulnerable 4787 when huge numbers of local residents chose to switch from Tony Blair's Labour party to the Liberal Democrats.

"Despite having a Labour Member of Parliament for decades, our area has not received the national attention and support it deserves. I welcome the opportunity of fighting for our residents, and putting their problems and their concerns, higher up the national agenda.'

Councillor Jill Fraser said: "I am absolutely thrilled at the result. Jo is the right person for the job. She will lead the local Liberal Democrats to greater successes and I am with her all the way."

Jo studied law in Holborn and works as a lawyer in the fields of housing, employment and family law. She has done voluntary work for Shelter and ran in the Great North Run collecting money for the human rights group Liberty.