By-Election candidates announced

10.57.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 10th May 2009

Edgware candidate Jonathan Davies with Sarah Ludford MEP. The two by-elections coincide with the European Parliamentary elections

Barnet Liberal Democrats have chosen their candidates to fight the Edgware and Totteridge by Elections on June 4. Both by-elections have been caused by the resignation of the sitting Conservative councillors

Jonty Stern is the Liberal Democrat candidate in Totteridge Ward. Jonty burst on to the national scene in 2007 as a contestant in the TV series "Big Brother". An instantly recognisable face, Jonty reached the final of "Big Brother". Jonty is a keen historian. He is a member of the Society of the Friends of Richard III and, of course, takes a close interest in the origins of the Battle of Barnet. Jonty is currently training to be tour guide in Westminster. He has worked at the RAF museum and also as a volunteer at the Jewish Museum in Finchley.

Jonathan Davies will fight the Liberal Democrat corner in Edgware Ward. Jonathan is a Solicitor. He is a former Barnet Councillor and is currently a member of the Liberal Democrats National Executive Committee . Jonathan is an executive member of Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel. He has recently been elected to serve on the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Cllr Jack Cohen, leader of the Barnet Liberal Democrats, says the two by elections provide the voters with the opportunity to send Conservative run Barnet a clear message: "This is the time for local people to tell the Conservatives in Barnet that they are fed up with the waste of Council tax payers' money, mismanagement of resources, and financial incompetence. It is a real chance to punish the ruling Conservative group for their folly over the Icelandic Banks." Pointing out that the only real scrutiny and opposition on the Council is provided by the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Cohen believes that the election of two more Liberal Democrat Councillors is the sure way of ensuring the Conservatives are properly held to account.