Former Labour mayor and parliamentary candidate for Shrewsbury joins the Lib Dems

Jon Tandy, a former Labour mayor of Shrewsbury and Labour parliamentary candidate for Shrewsbury and Atcham, has joined the Liberal Democrats.

He told Shropshire Live:

"I'm born and bred in Shrewsbury, I love this town. The Liberal Democrats are providing the community leadership that we need to keep making Shrewsbury a better place to live for everyone. They really care about our town, and I’m going to be backing the Lib Dems all the way to win votes and seats from both the Tories and Labour."

His decision is rooted in disquiet at the left's control of Labour in Shrewsbury, but there is plenty about the Shropshire Lib Dems to attract him at the moment:

Councillor Alex Wagner welcomed Jon Tandy to the party at a meeting in Harlescott yesterday. He said: 

"Having someone with Jon’s experience and talent decide to join the Liberal Democrats is a huge boost to us locally. It is a real honour to welcome him to the party, and I cannot wait to see what he has in store next.

"Jon’s campaigning record is second to none, and I know he’s already getting stuck in, working hard and holding local leadership to account in his local community in Harlescott."

Paul Marsden, who gained Shrewsbury and Atcham for Labour in 1997 and held it in 2001, crossed the floor later that year to sit with the Lib Dems. He remained on our benches until he retired from the Commons in 2005.

The Liberal Democrat MP who named Ryan Giggs

No, not John Hemming, at least according to the Shropshire Star.

It was the former MP - indeed former Liberal Democrat - Paul Marsden.

Paul Marsden says he will sue the Daily Mirror over phone hacking

Today's news bulletins have carried reports that Paul Marsden - the Labour, Liberal Democrat and (briefly) Labour again MP for Shrewsbury - is to sue the Mirror Group because he believes his phone was illegally hacked.

I can report this news myself from the best possible source, because Paul Marsden has a blog. And on it he reprints the text of a statement issued by his solicitor:

Today Paul Marsden, former Labour MP confirmed that he has initiated legal action against a reporter and the Mirror Group following receipt of information and evidence.

Mr Marsden said, “I can confirm that I have instructed my Solicitor (Mark Lewis) to write to the Mirror regarding private stories which appeared in that paper. I have strong reasons to believe that I was the victim of unlawful hacking by a reporter who subsequently moved to the News of the World, under Andy Coulson.

“I understand that the reporter was suspended last year in respect of hacking carried out for that paper last year.

“It would not be appropriate to make detailed comments while sensitive enquiries are being made of the phone company O2.

Looking through his blog, I find confirmation that Marsden is indeed the author of The Blackfriars of Shrewsbury: History of the Dominican Friary, as I once suggested.

I also find that he has posted his poetry - a decision that may fairly be described as courageous.

Where are they now? Paul Marsden

The former Labour/Lib Dem/Labour MP for Shrewsbury has written a book: The Blackfriars of Shrewsbury: History of the Dominican Friary.

If anything can bring you back into this blog's good books it is contributing to Shropshire local history.

Reader's voice: But are you sure it is that Paul Marsden?

Liberal England replies confidently: It says so in Wikipedia, so it must be true.