Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Announced for Stockton North

Stockton Liberal Democrats have announced that Anthony Sycamore will be the party's candidate for Stockton North
at the forthcoming General Election.

Anthony, 54, is a classical and jazz musician (a pianist) and a teacher at international classical music 'conservatoires'.

He studied Music at the University of Oxford and at the Royal Northern College of Music, and previously worked
as an investment banker (albeit a reformed one who saw the light!), a software developer and as a music lecturer
at the University of Durham, before moving to the South West where he has served as a councillor and a trustee
of several organisations. He has also travelled, performed and worked in Europe.

Anthony is a strong supporter of liberal values including justice, transparency and openness in politics,
and human rights. He is pro-European and a supporter of co-operation to tackle international issues.

His experience as a former banker and a period of homelessness as a teenager gives him an understanding of
how the worst excesses of the financial system cause inequality and poverty. He intends to campaign at this
election on a platform of tackling injustice and corporate tax evasion and malpractice, as well as promoting
the Liberal Democrat record in government and the party's plans to extend tax cuts for average earners and
invest £8 billion a year more into the NHS.

Anthony says: "I know the North East well from my time working at the University of Durham and am pleased to
have the opportunity to offer the voters of Stockton, Billingham, and surrounding villages a Liberal-minded
alternative to the sitting Labour MP.

I aim to speak up for the silent majority of voters who want a fairer, safer, and greener country and who have had
enough of traditional politics and politicians. Whilst I acknowledge the importance of economic growth to secure
more jobs, apprenticeships, and prosperity, I also value the importance of justice, fairness and quality of life,
and I support greater fairness in the tax system".

"I will be seeking to represent constituents with an open mind and with integrity, and will pursue fair, open, and
transparent politics."

Factfile:

In Stockton North constituency since 2010, Lib Dems in government have helped to deliver:

· £15.38 a week tax cut for 35,100 people (£800 per year)

· 4,700 of the lowest paid taken out of paying income tax completely

· 19,100 women into work

· 2,100 new business start ups

· 15,500 pensioners better off thanks to the Lib Dem "triple lock" pension guarantee

· universal free school meals for 3000 under 7s

· tax free childcare for 2400 families

· free 2/3/4yo childcare for 2900 children

· £11,963,000 of extra funding for Stockton North schools