EALING Common councillor Jon Ball has been selected as the Liberal Democrat's candidate at the next general election.

He will contest the Ealing Central & Acton constituency for a second time, setting up a rematch with the incumbant Conservative MP Angie Bray, who won the seat in 2010.

After his selection by party members last Friday, Mr Ball issued a challenge to his rival, saying: "What, if anything, has Angie Bray actually achieved for local residents three years in to a five year term? She has a busy diary but does not seem to get beyond meetings to delivering results."

Cllr Ball secured the highest ever Lib Dem vote in Ealing at 2010 poll, securing 13,041 votes.

He said: "A Labour Party candidate standing against austerity would be a tough opponent. But Ed Milliband’s Labour is not that party. He announced last weekend that any future Labour government would stick to the coalition’s spending targets and would cap welfare spending. What would be the point of voting for austerity in a red rosette?

"Meanwhile, the Tories are tacking further right to ward off challenges from UKIP. Here in Ealing, that is especially acute as we have our own 'swivel-eyed loon', UKIP Cllr Benjamin Dennehy, a rampant self-publicist who appeals to right wing voters.  In 2015 he proposes to stand for UKIP here in Ealing Central & Acton and Angie Bray is nervously looking over her shoulder.

"Meanwhile, we are implementing Liberal Democrat policies in Government.  Policies like: bringing the lowest paid out of tax; the pupil premium to help disadvantaged children; and new green jobs. These have all gone straight from the front cover of the manifesto I fought on in 2010 into legislation."

Cllr Ball said local people like the Lib Dem's message of "working hard on local issues" and "creating a stronger economy in a fairer society".

Ealing Liberal Democrats' chair Humaira Sanders welcomed Mr Ball's selection and said: "Jon will be a hard working and dedicated constituency MP and will be an outstanding champion for the people of Ealing Central and Acton."

MP Angie Bray congratulated Mr Ball on his selection, and added: "He was a worthy opponent in 2010 and I’m sure he will be again. I look forward to a positive and indeed friendly campaign, just as it was last time."

The next general election is due to be held in 2015.