Lynne Featherstone needs to 'move on', says Tory MP hopeful (From Haringey Independent)

Lynne Featherstone needs to 'move on', says Hornsey and Wood Green Tory MP hopeful

7:00am Sunday 22nd March 2009 in Top Stories By Elizabeth Pears

The Conservative candidate for the Hornsey and Wood Green seat has launched his campaign with all guns blazing.

The target of MP hopeful Richard Merrin's wrath is his rival MP Lynne Featherstone whose seat the Tory hopes to take at the next General Election.

The 42-year-old managing director of a London-based PR agency was selected to represent the party on Thursday by the Hornsey and Wood Green Conservative Association.

Mr Merrin, who currently lives in Kentish Town, said he was "delighted" to be selected, before sending a message of warning to Liberal Democrat Lynne Featherstone.

The Highgate resident said: "We all know Lynne was a popular local councillor for Muswell Hill. But a quick look at her website shows that she hasn't moved on. She is still focusing on the 'parish pump' issues that she should now be entrusting to her former councillor colleagues.

"Lynne, let them get on with their job and get on with yours — being a voice for this constituency on national issues at Westminster. You're not in Haringey Civic Centre any more."

He said constituents needed an MP who understood the seriousness of Britain's current economic situation and one who would address national issues that affected residents.

Mr Merrin has lived in both Crouch End and Muswell Hill and has a long history of campaigning in Highgate.

He is unmarried.