Record number of Prospective Parliamentary Candidates of Chinese background

In 2008 Merlene Toh Emerson (杜淑真 ) former City solicitor and current Chair of Chinese Liberal Democrats was selected by the Hammersmith & Fulham Party to stand as their Parliamentary candidate in the newly formed constituency of Hammersmith in London.

Over the last few months, she has been swiftly followed by three more candidates of Chinese background who will be standing as Liberal Democrat Candidates in the coming General Elections:

Philip Ling (凌家辉) 29, is a British born Chinese from Warwick. He studied Economics at the University of Bath and his career has covered the civil service, telecommunications and is currently working for a retail bank.

On his selection to fight the seat of Bromsgrove in West Midlands Philip said:

"I'm very happy and privileged to have been selected and I am looking forward to giving the people in the constituency a real choice in the next general elections…

"A vote for the Liberal Democrats would be a vote for a fairer society and a more honest political system" declared Philip.

Allan Siao Ming Witherick （謝曉明）31, is Anglo-Chinese, a Science graduate from University College London (UCL). Currently he works in Bedfordshire whilst being a Councillor in Hertfordshire where he is a member of the Shadow Cabinet. His past work has included supporting the UK-China:400 project with the British Council and helping to found ABACUS (Association of British And Chinese University Students) at UCL.

"As the Liberal Democrat candidate for Broxbourne my main goal in the upcoming elections is to keep the BNP from making further inroads and to be the real alternative to the incumbent Tories" said Allan.

Alexander Lee Payton (李沛騰) another Anglo-Chinese and a barrister from Newbury is the most recent addition to the line of Parliamentary candidates, having been successful in his selection to stand in the constituency of Havant.

Alex said it was time to change the face of British politics:

"The only real change on offer is to support the Liberal Democrats. We can't continue with more of the same under Labour or switch to the confused Tories. We have to change our banking systems, work within environmental limits and give our children the best start in life. Labour has left our great country in a colossal mess. Join us to make it great again."

As Chair of Chinese Liberal Democrats, Merlene expressed her delight in seeing such a strong showing of Chinese candidates within the Party.

"The fact that so many young people have chosen Liberal Democrats as their party of choice shows that we are ready for real change away from the tired two party politics of old.

"Many of us joined the Liberal Democrats based on its values of freedom and fairness, as well as its reformist and progressive policies. Philip, Allan and Alex all represent the new generation of candidates who are young, dynamic and full of ideas to improve our society and who want to make a difference."

Commenting on the news of four Chinese PPCs, Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats said:

"I am proud to welcome our new generation of Candidates of Chinese and Anglo-Chinese background and am pleased their local parties have selected them to stand in the coming elections.

"They are all clearly talented and very committed to serving their communities.

"I look forward to welcoming them to join me on the green benches".

In addition to these candidates, Chinese Liberal Democrats executive committee has the support of many other dynamic executive members including former Chair Cllr Linda Chung of Camden, Cllr Sam Li of Lewes, Neville Farmer, Vice Chair and an active campaigner on Chinese community issues and Robin Meltzer, Treasurer. Both Neville and Robin are also standing in the coming general elections as Parliamentary Candidates for the constituencies of Wyre Forest and Kensington.

Chinese Liberal Democrats will be supporting all its candidates with outreach programmes to encourage greater voter registration and turn-out from the Chinese community in the UK.

Related Links

• For a photograph of the Chinese Liberal Democrat PPCs 2010 click here.