A LABOUR parliamentary candidate defected to the Liberal Democrats just hours before Tony Blair was expected to trigger a general election.

Today Labour chiefs accused Stephen Wilkinson, who was due to contest the Ribble Valley seat, of reacting badly to the party's decision not to re-select him for his county council seat.

But Coun Wilkinson, who represents part of Preston on the county council and lives in Longridge, claimed that he was among a growing number of party members who had become 'angry' with Labour's 'authoritarian style.'

At a press conference at Manchester Airport today, he said he had been considering the move for a while and it had nothing to do with selection issues.

He said: "Like many former Labour voters and activists, I feel angry that Labour have become increasingly authoritarian and failed to safeguard civil liberties.

"Who could have thought that a Labour government would become a lapdog to George Bush's right-wing Republican administration?

"I have been considering leaving the Labour Party for some time. The selection process for county council candidates took place some time ago and I didn't expect to be selected.

"I am moving for very positive reasons -- there are things the Lib Dems believe in, things I thought the Labour Party believed in when I joined in 1996.

"An awful lot of people leave for another party for self-interest but this move was never meant to give me a safe seat for the Liberal Democrats on the county council or in Parliament.

"All I plan on doing is campaigning for the Liberal Democrats in the Ribble Valley and Preston."

Mr Kennedy, who welcomed Coun Wilkinson into the party at today's press conference, said: "I warmly welcome Stephen Wilkinson and his courage in leaving his party to join the Liberal Democrats.

"When Labour cannot even retain the support of their own candidates, it is surely a sign of things to come."

Coun Wilkinson, who will not be standing for the Lib Dems in the county council elections, appeared to have little chance of winning the Ribble Valley seat from sitting Tory Nigel Evans.

In 2001, the party's candidate in the constituency -- county councillor Marcus Johnstone -- came third behind the Lib Dems and Mr Evans, who has an 11,238 majority.

Coun Wilkinson was one of eight county councillors to be axed ahead of the county poll, which will take place on May 5, and the second to switch to the Lib Dems.

Hyndburn Labour veteran George Slynn also moved after being dumped from his Great Harwood seat.

Labour bosses moved swiftly to replace Coun Wilkinson with Ribble Valley man Jack Davenport.

A spokesman said: "We are not surprised at Coun Wilkinson's decision. He had been de-selected for the council elections and must have been miffed. He has taken it badly.

"We don't apologise for setting high standards for our councillors and we can confirm Coun Wilkinson never raised any of the concerns he is now airing to us beforehand."

The Lib Dems already have a candidate for the Ribble Valley. Julie Young, who lives in Barrow, near Clitheroe, is currently the chief executive of Victim Support Lancashire and previously served on Lancashire County Council.

Tony Blair was widely expected to visit Buckingham Palace today to request permission to dissolve parliament, triggering an election for May 5.