A CANDIDATE in a Kenton by-election says his party is the only one not tainted by a record of making cuts.

Alan Mathison accused the Labour administration of failing to protect the most vulnerable from Brent Council's spending axe but hit out at the “colossal cheek” of the Lib Dems and Tories.

He said the two parties had no right to campaign against local cuts “when it is their government that has demanded them”.

He hit out at a project to replace Brent Town Hall with a new civic centre.

He said: “All three parties voted for the £100m over-the-top Civic Centre vanity project which is a slap in the face for local people when they see their services being slashed and charges raised.”

The by-election will be held on February 17 and was organised following the death of Councillor Arthur Steel on New Year's Day.

Mr Mathison said the area had been neglected by the council and said he wanted to see more done to tackle flooding problems, as well as relocating the John Billam children's playground to a safer and more accessible site.

He also wants to tackle traffic issues in Drayton Avenue and stop speeding in Woodcock Hill.

In addition to Labour, Lib Dem and Tory candidates, he will also face independent Robert Dunwell.