New Lib Dem Leader To Speak For People in Surrey Heath

8.00.00pm GMT Mon 7th Jan 2008

Nick Clegg MP met local activists in Woking recently

New Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg MP, has promised to give a voice to people in Surrey Heath who feel ignored by national politicans.

Setting out his priorities after being elected as party leader on December 18th, Nick Clegg said:

"Throughout Surrey Heath, Liberal Democrats are already working hard to reach out to local people and listen to their concerns.

"Under my leadership I will be taking that spirit nationwide, moving beyond party politics and making liberalism connect with the millions of people who share our values.

"Labour and the Conservatives have failed Britain's families. I will lead my party to change politics, and change Britain, for the better. Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to giving the local people a greater say in the decisions that affect their lives, by shifting power away from Westminster and back to local communities.

"That's why I will hold regular and public Town Hall meetings; open up the Liberal Democrats to give people who support us, but aren't members, a say on the big issues; and set up a network of real families in every region to advise me."

Local campaigner Cllr Duncan Clark said: "It's really hard to tell the difference between Labour and the Conservatives these days. The time has come for a politician like Nick Clegg who will speak up for real people and local communities, like ours in Surrey Heath."