CANNABIS CANDIDATE FOR BY-ELECTION

CONVICTED drug smuggler Howard Marks revealed last night the Legalise
Cannabis Alliance's man to stand at the Ipswich by-election -- a musician
fighting a possession charge on human rights issues.

The world's most famous drug baron used his show at the town's Corn
Exchange to announce the intention of Ipswich man John Ramirez to contest
the town's parliamentary seat.

Performing arts student Mr Ramirez, 36, was in the audience for the latest
date of Marks' acclaimed An Audience With Mr Nice tour of the UK. He is
currently on bail after fighting a charge of possessing cannabis on human
rights grounds.

Police discovered a lump of the drug during a raid at his Faraday Road home
in July, but Mr Ramirez argued officers were wrong to search the house he
shared with his wife and eight-year-old son.

It prompted the Suffolk College student to join the Legalise Cannabis
Alliance, which asked him to be its candidate for the November 22
by-election caused by the death of Ipswich Labour MP Jamie Cann.

Former St Joseph's College pupil Mr Ramirez, who writes music for theatre
productions and has worked as a music technician at Middlesex University,
said he was "very excited" about standing as the Legalise Cannabis Alliance
candidate.

"I believe it is important someone stands up and offers the opportunity to
those in the community to express their own belief and support in the
cannabis debate," he added.

"This is the first time that cannabis users in Ipswich will be able to
express their own sympathies in a democratic context without the concern of
being personally condemned for the way in which they choose to live their
private lives."

Meanwhile, members of the Ipswich Labour Party will meet tonight to choose
their candidate for the by-election, but the town's Conservatives have
delayed their selection meeting by 48 hours.

The writ for the by-election is expected to be moved in the Commons this
morning with polling day on November 22.

More than 400 Labour Party members have been invited to attend their
meeting in a marquee at Ipswich Town Football Club, starting at 8pm.

Three candidates have been shortlisted by the party's national executive --
Croydon councillor Amanda Campbell, who fought Billericay at the General
Election; Chris Mole, leader of Suffolk County Council; and Jan Royal, a
spokesman for the European Commission in Brussels who is a former member of
Neil Kinnock's staff.

About 200 Conservatives will gather at Westerfield House Hotel at 10.30am
on Saturday to choose a candidate.

The Liberal Democrats are expected to name former Labour Party member Tessa
Munt, who fought Tim Yeo in Suffolk South at the General Election, as their
candidate before the weekend.

Ipswich Socialist Alliance has reselected Pete Leech to stand in the
by-election, having contested the seat in June's General Election. It will
be putting forward a platform against the war in Afghanistan, improved
funding of public services and against privatisations.