Congratulations to Layla Moran who has been selected by Oxford West & Abingdon Lib Dems as their new Parliamentary Candidate.

The Conservatives won the constituency by just 176 votes in the 2010 General Election and is one of the most winnable seats for the Lib Dems at the next election.

Layla’s selection comes just four days after the Lib Dems trounced the Conservatives in a district council by-election in Sunningwell & Wootton on a 17% swing.

“Layla has shown herself to be a dynamic campaigner, full of ideas and with a real passion to promote our liberal values,” said Cllr. Tony de Vere, Chair of the constituency party. “We’re delighted that she is joining our team.”

Layla lives in North Oxford and is a Physics teacher by profession, currently working as a Head of Year in an international school. She read Physics at Imperial College and holds a masters degree in Comparative Education. Layla also works with an Oxford-based Education company to deliver maths revision courses.

This is an exciting time for the Lib Dems in Oxford West & Abingdon. With last week’s stunning by-election success under our belts and campaigning already in full swing for the County elections, we are delighted that Layla has been selected and will be leading our campaign from now on.

Oxford West & Abingdon is the ultra-marginal seat won by the Lib Dems’ Evan Harris in 1997 which was lost to the Conservatives at the last election by just 176 votes. Evan, who of course remains actively involved within the Lib Dems not least on its Federal Policy Committee, in addition to his campaigning role for Hacked Off , decided not to seek re-selection.

* Neil Fawcett is the Constituency Campaign Manager for Oxford & Abingdon West