Former Local News Man to fight in Ipswich for the Liberal Democrats

4.00.00pm GMT Thu 11th Mar 2010

Mark Dyson - LibDem PPC for Ipswich

Journalist and Broadcaster Mark Dyson has been appointed to fight Ipswich for the Liberal Democrats in the forthcoming General Election.

Ipswich's new Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) was a reporter for Anglia News and Anglia Reports. Later he was an on-screen reporter for Channel 4 News, Channel 4's Dispatches, LWT, Thames and BBC National and regional news programmes. As an independent producer, he was responsible for award-winning factual films and documentaries that were screened across the world;

many of them campaigning against high-profile social and environmental issues.

Dyson, who has an MA in Experimental Psychology from Oxford University and is a classical pianist, says he is passionate about bringing trust back into politics: "There are too many career politicians in parliament", he said. "And look where that has led us in the last two years with expenses scandals and a general erosion of public faith in politicians and the political system. It is vital that the political system is overhauled, that politicians become more accountable, and that their first priority is to fight for the people they represent. Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to major political restructuring, and only the Liberal Democrats are serious about the environment, social justice, and - above all - fairness; all issues that I care deeply about. I aim to use my campaigning, business, communications and strategic skills to make it clear to the electorate in Ipswich that the LibDems have a powerful set of policies that will benefit everyone."

He said: "I see my role first and foremost as fighting for a stronger and more focused public voice for Ipswich. As a party we believe in local decision making and I will always strive to make that happen. So I do seek the the opportunity to become a dynamic local representative for Ipswich who can steer the town forward, and away from the divisive cycle of red - blue - red - blue - boom - bust - sleaze politics that have damaged so many aspects of our country's progress".

Mark Dyson - LibDem PPC for Ipswich

The Liberal Democrats' National President Baroness Scott, who lives locally, said: "I am delighted that Ipswich has appointed Mark to fight the forthcoming election. I know that he is very passionate about social justice, the environment and building a fairer society. He has successfully campaigned for what he believes is right during his media career, and I welcome the fact that his energies will now be focused on fighting for a better deal for the people of Ipswich".

Mark Dyson added: "With only eight weeks or so before the expected date of the election, there is a lot to achieve. In that time, I would like to introduce myself to every single person in Ipswich - one way or another: At public meetings, on their doorstep, over the phone, via social networking sites, my website, by email or on the streets of the town. I want to create a fresh new political dialogue in Ipswich, and I want people to consider that the Liberal Democrats represent a sensible, fair and intelligent solution not only for the town, but for Britain - at a time when the two main parties have become old, tired and totally reliant on US-style campaign funding supplied by a group of hard core supporters."