EX-MAYOR IS AMONG 18 CANDIDATES IN BY-ELECTION

FORMER Carlisle mayor Colin Paisley will have 17 rivals in the
Kensington and Chelsea by-election - including the celebrated figure
of Michael Portillo and the lesser-known Lisa Lovebucket.

Mr Paisley, who is standing as the Legalise Cannabis Alliance
candidate, believes he may be party to an entry in the Guinness Book
of Records.

Liberal.

"I'm led to believe that 18 candidates equals the record for a
by-election in this country," he said. "The same number apparently
fought Newbury during the last Parliament." Mr Paisley, 62, a former
junkie and former Labour councillor for the St Aldan's ward in
Carlisle, is now a member of the Liberal Party. But the party had no
objections to him standing on a different ticket.

"I'm hoping for support from across the political divide and my main
hope is to save my deposit," he said. "That really means winning
about 4,000 votes and being top of the fringe candidates."

The highest profile candidate in the by-election, which was prompted
by the death of Tory MP Alan Clark, is Michael Portillo. The former
defence secretary has been tipped as a future Conservative leader.

Labour is fielding Robert Atkinson and the Liberal Democrats are
backing Robert Woodthorpe. Also standing are the Earl of Burford, who
climbed onto the Woolsack in the House of Lords last month, Alan
"Howling Laud" Hope of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and
Lisa Lovebucket of the People's Net Dream Ticket Party. Voting takes
place a fortnight today.