Brian Paddick, Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of London, and Tom Papworth, who is standing for the Bexley and Bromley seat on the GLA, will be joining Lib Dems from across Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham, Greenwich and beyond to march against the closure of Queen Mary, Sidcup Accident and Emergency Ward and to register our anger at the proposals for re-structuring NHS services in South East London.

The march is next Saturday, 1 March 2008, and it is absolutely essential that we get as many people along as possible to support Brian.

There are three reasons why we have to make every effort to be there:
• This is Brian's first high-profile visit to the Bexley and Bromley constituency, where the Lib Dems came 2nd in 2004 and Labour came 4th - we have tens of thousands of votes to pick up and the issue Brian is campaigning on is of major importance to residents across the borough. It is vital that he is seen surrounded by Lib Dem supporters!
• This is a vital issue for people in Bromley, Bexley, Lewisham and Greenwich. On the one hand, Lib Dems have a passionate belief in the NHS and overwhelmingly oppose the plans to close A&Es, as well as the poor choices offered in the consultation. On the other hand, it is an issue of importance to voters and we must be seen to be strong on it;
• We must make sure that we can demonstrate that we are there in force as the main voice of the people. The Tories will be there too, and since when did they suddenly discover the NHS? (Oh, that's right, it was when they began to clutch at straws in an attempt to climb in the polls!).

The march starts from The Crescent, a green open space net to the Horse and Groom Harvester, Main Road, Sidcup, at 10.30am. It will proceed to the hospital along Elm Road and finish at the Putting Green next to Queen Mary's. The whole thing will take less than an hour but we expect the press to be there in force.