Redcar MP Ian Swales praises delivery of major jobs boost

On the day that the Coalition Government's flagship Enterprise Zone programme hits the 15,500 jobs landmark, Redcar MP Ian Swales praises Lib Dem ministers for delivering a boost to the local economy.

Figures released today show that the Tees Valley Enterprise Zone has created roughly 1020 jobs so far, providing a real boost to the local economy in and knock-on benefits for the community, including improved infrastructure and new business opportunities.

Across the country, the Coalition Government's 24 Enterprise Zones have now created more than 15,500 jobs, attracted over 480 businesses and over £2.1 billion in private investment.

The growth has also provided a real boost to the UK's construction sector and supply chain.

Redcar MP Ian Swales said:

"Thanks to joint efforts by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Lib Dem local government minister Stephen Williams, we have seen a real boost to the local economy in terms of more jobs, more innovation and more power to the local community to do what's best for the area.

“This comes off the back of a whole series of announcements by the Lib Dem Deputy PM Nick Clegg of more money being taken out of Whitehall and put direct into the hands of local business and communities, especially through the Regional Growth Fund."

Lib Dem local government minister Stephen Williams MP said:

“Enterprise Zones like Tees Valley have gone a long way in re-balancing the economy, taking the power out of Whitehall's hands and putting it back into the hands of local communities."

“Just a fortnight ago, Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg also announced an extra £13.9m for the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership via his flagship Growth Deals which Government estimates could deliver up to 9,000 new jobs, 5,000 new homes and generate £300m of public and private investment.”

Nick Clegg's visit to Redcar in pictures

 Ian Swales and supporters get ready to greet Nick Clegg

 Ben Sheperia, Steven Abbott and Chris Abbott

 Ian Swales and the Battle Bus

Nick Clegg and Ian Swales face the cameras

George Selmer, Becky Selmer and Glyn Nightingale watch on as Nick and Ian enter the hall

 Nick Clegg addresses the audience

Nick Clegg listens to Redcar Folk...

 ...but who let these Labour Councillors from Middlesbrough in?

Pictures by Amanda Proud

Redcar agrees with Nick

Posted by Chris

Coatham Memorial Hall was packed for Nick Clegg's visit to Redcar last night.

The enthusiastic audience even included Labour Councillors from Middlesbrough Barry Coppinger, Len Junier and John McPartland who assured me they had been invited by the BBC. I wonder why? They are pictured above seated directly behind Pat Swales, wife of Lib Dem Candidate Ian Swales. The UKIP candidate for Redcar also sneaked in.

Retiring MP for Harrogate, Phil Willis, making his second campaign visit to Redcar, warmly welcomed the Labour and UKIP observers and impressed us all with his knowledge of the area and its problems.

Nick Clegg spoke about Labour's neglect for the area over many years and answered a whole range of questions from the audience which included a large proportion of young voters. The topics raised included, Corus, defence, education, the NHS and immigration.

It is interesting that  of all the people who turned up to see Nick Clegg's brilliant performance The tacky  Sun  choose to quote only one person, John McPartland, without mentioning he is a Labour Councillor from Middlesbrough.

Liberal Democrats launch green jobs manifesto pledge for Teesside

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg today set out a manifesto pledge to create 57,000 jobs by investing £400million upgrading disused shipyards to enable the production of off-shore wind turbines.

Nick Clegg launched this latest plank of the Liberal Democrats’ economic stimulus and job creation package. The proposals would enable firms to manufacture off-shore wind turbines in the UK, instead of seeing them built abroad due to out-of-date facilities.

Current plans to expand wind farms in the North and Irish seas could see every one of the 6,400 turbines needed brought in from abroad, as there are currently no turbine manufacturers in the UK. Analysis by the One North East Regional Development Agency shows attracting wind turbine manufacturing to the region could bring economic benefits worth as much as £1.9 billion.

British ports and especially those in the North East are ideally located to host turbine manufacturers due to their proximity to the off-shore wind farms; however, they are currently unable to invest due to the lack of appropriate docks with suitable space.

The Liberal Democrat proposals to invest in physical infrastructure to support a greener economy also include a pledge to invest £100million in training and testing facilities, including at universities in the North East.

Commenting, Nick Clegg said:

“We need to make sure we come out of this recession with a rebalanced and green economy.

“Our plans would act as a huge boost for Britain’s budding wind industry and create nearly 60,000 jobs in many shipyard cities where unemployment is a huge problem.

“New off-shore turbines, with blades the size of the London Eye, need to be built and launched from modern docks, so we need to upgrade our shipyards to take advantage of this massive opportunity.

“Just imagine the docks and shipyards in the North East coming to life and leading the world in this new technology.

“Expanding off-shore wind will create jobs but unless we act now, these jobs won’t be British jobs. It’s a scandal that 90% of the £1.75bn contract for a wind farm off the coast of Kent is going to foreign contractors, with the turbines being manufactured in Germany.

“Investing in infrastructure for a new green economy not only helps create jobs now but will allow the North East to take its place at the cutting edge of this growing industrial sector for the future.

“Britain clearly has the manufacturing and engineering expertise to lead the world in this green technology but government must play its part in supporting this.”

Prospective MP for Redcar Ian Swales, who has been campaigning hard for new jobs on Teesside, said:

"This commitment by the Liberal Democrats is key to ensuring that the jobs that will be created from the development of North Sea offshore wind will be created here in the North East. This region has the skills and capacity to become the European leader in offshore wind and we must make sure that potential is realised. We desperately need some large new businesses in the area to get things moving again."

Ian Swales puts fairness at the heart of the Liberal Democrat campaign

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will fight the General Election on four key principles, designed to make Britain a fairer place.

PPC for Redcar constituency, Ian Swales, has today set out his campaign priorities: fair taxes; a fair start for every child; fair, clean and local politics and a fair, green economy with jobs that last.
Ian Swales said:

“Local people have been let down by their politicians and are rightly frustrated. I am going into the election with a clear direction and a manifesto that is short, direct and to the point.

“We will introduce fairer taxes by closing loopholes for the richest, introducing a tax on mansions and tax cuts of £700 for everyone else.

“If your child is at school in this constituency, we can promise investment to help reduce class sizes, improve discipline and develop one-to-one tuition.

“We would also give you the right to sack your MP. The Liberal Democrats are the only party committed to real change of our political system, flushing out big money and corrupt donors and reducing the number of MPs by 150.

“And we will rebuild the economy in every part of Britain in a way that promotes green technology and creates lasting jobs. We will put an end to casino banking, bring back competition and support local entrepreneurs to make sure businesses can find the money they need to grow.

“The coming months are a crucial time for politics and I will be using them to focus on these four priorities and delivering real change for our area.”

In his speech to launch the campaign, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg said:

“David Cameron and Gordon Brown are playing the politics of the airbrush and the focus group.

“One doesn’t know what he believes. The other doesn’t know what to do with the power he clings to so desperately.

“I believe the country wants something different. The Liberal Democrats are different. We offer credibility where it’s needed. And hope for our common future.”

Nick Clegg and Ian Swales say Save our Steel

Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Redcar, Ian Swales took the Save Our Steel campaign to the recent Liberal Democrat conference.

He is pictured with Lib Dem leader and Sheffield MP Nick Clegg.

Nick said " I am very concerned that our Government is not working with other European Governments to ensure a level playing field for our steel industry."

Ian Swales said "we have to get as many people as possible behind the campaign to save the local steel industry. I was fortunate to be able to state the case to so many parliamentarians at the Conference."

Nick Clegg names his Shadow Cabinet

The new Shadow Cabinet is as follows:

Leader NICK CLEGG
Deputy Leader Vince Cable
Chief Whip Paul Burstow

The economy and business - VINCE CABLE - Shadow Chancellor
Jeremy Browne - Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Sarah Teather - Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Home Affairs - CHRIS HUHNE - Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department
David Heath Shadow - Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor
The Rt Hon the Lord Thomas - Shadow Attorney General
David Howarth - Shadow Solicitor General

International affairs - ED DAVEY - Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Chair of Campaigns and Communications
Nick Harvey - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Mike Moore - Shadow Secretary of State for International Development

Public services - DAVID LAWS - Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
Norman Lamb - Shadow Secretary of State for Health
Julia Goldsworthy - Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Lembit Opik - Housing
Danny Alexander - Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions,
Chair of manifesto group
Stephen Williams - Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Environment - STEVE WEBB -Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Energy, Food and Rural Affairs
Norman Baker - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Tim Farron - Countryside

Families -SUSAN KRAMER Families spokesperson, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office; and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Other Shadow Cabinet members
Simon Hughes - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Party President
Don Foster - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; and Olympics
Alistair Carmichael - Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland
Lynne Featherstone - Youth and equality spokesperson
The Rt Hon Tom McNally - Leader in the Lords
Roger Williams - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
The Rt Hon the Lord Shutt -Lords Chief Whip
Willie Rennie - Chair of Parliamentary campaigns team

Also attending the Shadow Cabinet
Danny Alexander - Leader’s Chief of Staff
Mark Hunter - Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader
Lorely Burt - Chair of the Parliamentary Party

Other apppointments announced today:

Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell will join the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and will be conducting a full review of Britain’s future military capability.

Rt Hon Charles Kennedy, as President of the European Movement will be campaigning across the country on European issues, and will contribute to major European debates from the front bench.

Nick Clegg names his Shadow Cabinet

The new Shadow Cabinet is as follows:

Leader

NICK CLEGG

Deputy Leader

Vince Cable

Chief Whip

Paul Burstow

The economy and business

VINCE CABLE

Shadow Chancellor

Jeremy Browne

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Sarah Teather

Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Home Affairs

CHRIS HUHNE

Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department

David Heath

Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor

The Rt Hon the Lord Thomas

Shadow Attorney General

David Howarth

Shadow Solicitor General

International affairs

ED DAVEY

Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Chair of Campaigns and Communications

Nick Harvey

Shadow Secretary of State for Defence

Mike Moore

Shadow Secretary of State for International Development

Public services

DAVID LAWS

Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families

Norman Lamb

Shadow Secretary of State for Health

Julia Goldsworthy

Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Lembit Opik

Housing

Danny Alexander

Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Chair of manifesto group

Stephen Williams

Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Environment

STEVE WEBB

Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Energy, Food and Rural Affairs

Norman Baker

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport

Tim Farron

Countryside

Families

SUSAN KRAMER

Families spokesperson, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office; and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Other Shadow Cabinet members

Simon Hughes

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Party President

Don Foster

Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; and Olympics

Alistair Carmichael

Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland

Lynne Featherstone

Youth and equality spokesperson

The Rt Hon Tom McNally

Leader in the Lords

Roger Williams

Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

The Rt Hon the Lord Shutt

Lords Chief Whip

Willie Rennie

Chair of Parliamentary campaigns team

Also attending the Shadow Cabinet

Danny Alexander

Leader’s Chief of Staff

Mark Hunter

Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader

Lorely Burt

Chair of the Parliamentary Party

Other apppointments announced today:

Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell will join the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and will be conducting a full review of Britain’s future military capability.

Rt Hon Charles Kennedy, as President of the European Movement will be campaigning across the country on European issues, and will contribute to major European debates from the front bench.

Nick Clegg's speech in full

On his election as the new Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg said:

My election as leader of this party marks a new beginning.

Today is about two things: ambition, and change.

Renewed ambition for the Liberal Democrats.

Renewed ambition to reach out to the millions of people who share our values, but have not yet voted for us.

It’s about renewed ambition for Britain.

Because we want to change politics, and change Britain.

I would like to thank Chris for the energetic and committed way he has campaigned in this leadership election.

We have been rivals in this contest. From today, we are colleagues again. I look forward to working closely with him for the good of liberalism in Britain.

I would also like to thank Vince Cable for the magnificent way he has led the party in these past two months.

There are few men who have excelled as an economist, a comedian and a ballroom dancer.

Finally, I would like to give my warmest thanks, on behalf of the whole party, to Ming Campbell. He took over the Liberal Democrats at a difficult time, and provided enormous stability and professionalism to the party. Without his work, building on the extraordinary achievements of Charles Kennedy and Paddy Ashdown before him, the party would not have the bright future which it now does.

I am a Liberal by temperament, by instinct and by upbringing.

My own family was marked, scattered and reunited by the tragic conflicts of the last century.

I was taught from an early age that Britain was a place of tolerance and pluralism, with a history steeped in democracy and the rule of law.

I believe that liberalism is the thread that holds together everything this country stands for. Pull out that thread and the fabric of the nation unravels.

We are a people with a strong sense of fair play and social justice. An instinct to protect the environment for future generations. We are suspicious of arbitrary power, wary of government interference. We want to play an active, enlightened role in the affairs of the world.

And we have always put our faith in the power of ordinary men and women to change things for the better.

So why is Britain still not the liberal nation we want it to be?
Look around us:

Our civil liberties casually cast aside.

Gigantic, faceless and incompetent Government bureaucracies.

Security and opportunity in short supply, particularly in the poorest communities.

Families struggling to meet each month’s bills. Struggling to balance the demands of work, and the time for a real family life.

Above all, our politics is broken.

Out of step with people.

Out of step with the modern world.

That is why I have one sole ambition: to change Britain to make it the liberal country the British people want it to be.

I want a new politics: a people’s politics.

I want to live in a country where rights, freedoms and privacy are not the playthings of politicians, but safeguarded for everyone.

Where political life is not a Westminster village freak show, but open, accessible, and helpful in people’s everyday lives.

Where parents, pupils and patients are in charge of our schools and hospitals.

Where fine words on the environment are translated into real action.

Where social mobility becomes a reality once again, so that no-one is condemned by the circumstances of their birth.

Why have we stopped imagining a better society?

Look at what we’ve got.

The Conservatives and New Labour have governed in the same way. Top-down and centralising. I refuse to believe that the only alternative to a clapped out Labour Government is a Conservative party which has no answers to the big issues - environmentalism without substance, social justice without money, internationalism without Europe.

The challenge for my party is clear and simple: to define a liberal alternative to the discredited politics of Big Government.

I want to open up my party, open up Westminster, and open up politics for good.

To lead well, a leader needs to listen.

That’s why I will hold regular and public Town Hall Meetings.

That’s why I want to open up the Liberal Democrats to give people who support us, but aren’t members, a say on the big issues.

That’s why I will spend at least one day every week listening and campaigning outside Westminster.

That’s why I will set up a network of real families, who have nothing to do with party politics, in every region of this country to advise me on what they think should be my priorities.

If you once voted Lib Dem but think we’ve spent too much time focusing on ourselves.

If you once voted Conservative but don’t know what they stand for any more.

If you once voted Labour but feel let down after ten years of disappointment.

If you’ve given up voting altogether, but still care about the world we live in:

Then a newly united, energetic, optimistic Liberal Democrat party is there for you.

This is an unprecedented time of opportunity for liberalism in Britain.

If we are to grab this opportunity, my party will need to change.

We must start acting like the growing national political movement that we are. More professional. More united. More ambitious.

Liberalism is the creed of our times.

The old left-right politics has broken down. Labour and the Conservatives are mutating into each other, united in defence of a system which has let the people down.

Instead, we must start where people are, not where we think they should be.

In short, I want the Liberal Democrats to be the future of politics.

Because Liberal Democrats have the courage to imagine a better society.

To break the stifling grip of the two-party system for good.

To bring in a new politics.

Of politicians who listen to people, not themselves.

No more business as usual. No more government-knows-best.

I want today to mark the beginning of real change in Britain.

The beginning of Britain’s liberal future.

Cleggy is the new Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Nick Clegg is the new leader of the Liberal Democrats. Nick won a very narrow victory over Chris Huhne who ran an aggressive campaign and was thought to have gained support as the campaign went on.

The result was as follows:

Nick Clegg - 20.988
Chris Huhne - 20.477

Yorkshire MP, Cleggy, pictured above in Newcastle with Chris (left), and Glyn Nightingale, was our favourite for the job because, as Glynis wrote on her endorsement, "Nick has made a big impression on Liberal Democrats in a very short time. He has the ability to quickly establish himself with voters and improve our ratings in the polls."

Nick paid tribute to Chris Huhne, acting leader Vince Cable and his predecessor Ming Campbell. He said the Liberal Democrats will be "more professional, more united and more ambitious." To disillusioned voters he said "a newly united, energetic Liberal Party is the party for you."

Nick and Chris on Newsnight

How the BBC promoted the contest on their website

Posted by Chris:

With the original, slim version of the Bird of Liberty soaring in the background the contenders for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats faced each other as they stood at lecterns waiting to begin another TV debate, this time with the formidable Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight.

The impression given to viewers was that they had to stand there waiting whilst Mr Paxman presented Newsnight's coverage of the Government's disastrous loss of two CD's containing the personal and banking details of 25million UK residents.

Chris Huhne used most of his one minute, "I want to be leader of the Liberal Democrats because," to remind us yet again that he was an "experienced communicator" who had worked as a journalist and had set up a business. Nick Clegg used the time to express his passionate Liberalism and his wish to lead the party with "energy, conviction and passion."

Mr Paxman introduced the "Calamity Clegg" smear and Chris "apologised profusely" blaming it on a "junior researcher." He went on to accept the explanations provided by Nick and expressed the need for "communicating clearly."

However, it was Nick who expressed views in the clearest terms on immigration and taxation. Chris showed his tendency for populism on both these issues. He also ended up with the last word, once again having to defend his campaign's "Calamity Clegg" attack on Nick. I expect both candidates will have to live with this, courtesy of the media and our opponents, for a long time to come.

More desperation from the Huhne camp

Posted by Chris:

The release of the document "Calamity Clegg" by the Chris Huhne campaign and the subsequent row on the Politics Show has once again confirmed my view that Chris is well behind and is resorting to desperate tactics.

To say, as Chris did, that he knew nothing about it beggars belief. Chris should concentrate on what he is standing for and stop trying to give us his misinterpretation of what Nick Clegg stands for.

The postal votes go out this week and most will return them straight away. Time is running out to persuade members and I guess the Huhne camp are seeking to hot things up but these tactics were bound to backfire. The way it was put to Chris on the show cannot have done his campaign any good at all. He was put in a position where he had to say nice things about Nick and was then faced with having to explain why his campaign had published the smear document.

Members are angry at the way Charles and Ming were treated by those who anonymously briefed the media. Sending out papers knocking Nick amounts to the same thing.

Question Time - Desperation and Depression

Posted by Chris:

There seems to be signs of a little bit of desperation creeping into the postings of some of the Lib Dem Bloggers for Chris Huhne following the appearance of both candidates on Question Time.

They are all rushing in to claim that Chris was the winner. How they can justify that is beyond me. What was obvious to me was that we have two outstanding candidates who came across extremely well in spite of the interruptions from David Dimbleby, which both handled satisfactorily. The programme was a rare opportunity to showcase the Liberal Democrats and viewers had a chance to see two stars of the Liberal Democrats future in action.

The only issue where there was a real difference of ideas was on Trident and for me Nick Clegg expressed the most common sense, whilst Chris appeared opportunistic and muddled.

The worst thing about the Question Time experience was the follow up programme on BBC News 24 afterwards. This is always a second rate anti-climax but it was made worse by the choice of guests. The first was Andrew Pierce, Assistant Editor of the Daily Telegraph who went completely over the top in his efforts to dis the Lib Dems. The second was Lib Dem, Olly Grender, who was far too nice to defend the party against the smears of Pierce.

I was thoroughly depressed by the end after reading all the irrelevant nonsense from Labour and Tory supporters that the BBC put out on the ticker.

In the Toon with Nick Clegg

Posted by Chris:

Glyn Nightingale and I spent an interesting afternoon in the company of Nick Clegg and a number of north east Lib Dems, including Newcastle Council leader John Shipley and Freddie Fletcher.

We travelled up to the Newcastle/Gateshead Hilton, where Nick was to address the North East Economic Forum. Nick was introduced by Michael White, Assistant Editor of The Guardian, who chaired the session. "You will be aware he is standing for the Leadership of the Liberal Democrats and he is going to win," Mr White told the audience of north east business people, quangocrats, academics and civic worthies.

Nick's speech was delivered with his usual self assurance and he handled the questions extremely well, though there was nothing hostile from the floor. He received a hearty round of applause at the end.

We then joined Nick for ham and pease pudding sandwiches plus freshly baked biscuits. It was a chance to see him in action close up. Glyn and I took the opportunity to brief him about the progress we have made in the Redcar Constituency and we outlined our plans for the future, one of which was to secure a visit from him.

I talked to Nick about the Lib Dem Blogsphere and who was supporting who. He seemed most interested and asked me a number of questions between discussions with others on a whole range of topics. He was certainly impressive in how he interacted with people. It has confirmed to me that he is the best choice for Liberal Democrats.

We then went on a long walk around the centre of Newcastle, led by John Shipley whom I have known for about 3o years, since our days in Whitby. Nick was photographed at the Earl Grey statue and we left him at the station for his journey to Buxton, via Sheffield, for his appearance on Question Time tonight.

The full list of supporters to date should be on his website over the weekend.

I hope to publish some pictures later, if Glyn Nightingale manages to download them from his mobile.

Leeds Leadership Hustings No 2

Posted by Chris:

For the second time in less than two years we travelled to Leeds to attend the Liberal Democrats Leadership Hustings.

.

On the way we passed a church, I think it was on Scott Hall Road, which had a yellow dayglow poster outside, displaying the words "Looking for a new Leader."

We have certainly found one.

Held in the impressive Civic Hall, with its two owls perched proudly on two white Portland stone spires, it was nice to be back in a proper Council Chamber. It was standing room only once again as members came from far and wide. I was surprised to see Julia Goldsworthy MP and Chris Rennard present.

We watched Nick Clegg arrive, with his huge entourage, as we sat on the wall outside the entrance. We followed him up the stairs and just as we were about to enter the Chamber the fire alarm went off and we all had to march outside again.

We stayed for the speeches and the first two questions and that was enough to confirm that our choice of Nick Clegg was the right one. I don't want to rubbish Chris Huhne, he is clearly a most able and attractive candidate but Cleggy was by far the most passionate and animated of the two. Chris was well received but his monotone delivery is not as inspiring as the more punchy Nick Clegg.

Judging by the sound and length of applause, whilst we were in the hall, Nick came out the winner by a mile.

Ian Swales to back Nick Clegg for Lib Dem Leader

Liberal Democrats Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Redcar, Ian Swales, is backing Yorkshire MP, Nick Clegg, to become the new Leader of the Liberal Democrats:

"I am delighted that Nick Clegg is standing for the Lib Dem Leadership. He would make an outstanding Leader of the Party and he will get my support," said Mr Swales.

Chris and Glynis come out for Cleggy

We have decided that we will be backing Nick Clegg to be the new Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Nick has impressed us during his short period as a Lib Dem MP. He has made is mark right from the start and is the obvious choice for us. We have become impressed with Chris Huhne, since the last leadership election, but as Glynis pointed out at that time, we knew little about him up until then.

Apart from anything else it will be a massive boost for Yorkshire and the north as a whole to have a Lib Dem leader who represents these parts.

.

Nick has the right image and is clearly light years ahead of Cameron in terms of intellectual ability. We predict he will also put bumbling Brown in the shade at PMQs. Nick needs to make sure he gets the backing of our MPs and if elected they need to be quick to defend him. No more sitting quitely with embarrassed looks on their faces. We need a united team clearly focussed on winning and we are sure that, with Nick at the helm, this can be achieved.

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Go for it Cleggy!