Euro MP candidates chosen

Earlier this year all Liberal Democrats in the East of England had a chance to vote for their candidates for the European Parliamentary elections next June.

In the most democratic of selection procedures, Andrew Duff was re-selected top of the region’s list. Accepting the nomination, Andrew said: "I am most grateful to the membership for renewing their trust in me as their Euro MP. There is no other job I would wish to do on behalf of the East of England, the Lib Dems and Europe. I am looking forward to defending my record as the first Lib Dem MEP for the East of England and in advancing Lib Dem policies for Britain in Europe. My top priority will be to lead the party to even greater success. Two MEPs is our goal. Chris White would be a great addition to our team in Brussels and at home."

Second on the list is Chris White, currently our group leader on Hertfordshire County Council and on the Regional Assembly. Chris White, who lives in St. Albans, has built up great expertise about the region, and is a well-known figure in the East of England party. Commenting on the result of the selection, Chris said: "It’s a great honour to be so high on the list. I know I can win alongside Andrew if the party works very hard in the election campaign. The Tories do not deserve to have four MEPs in this region."

Kathy Pollard, who is the Lib Dem deputy leader on Suffolk County Council, gained the number three slot on the list. Kathy has been twice the Westminster parliamentary candidate in South Suffolk, and is a keen European.

Fourth is Rosalind Gill, until recently head of Norman Lamb’s constituency office in North Norfolk. Like Andrew and Chris, she also fought the last European elections in 1999.

Paul Howell, the former Conservative MEP for Norfolk is fifth. Paul will help to draw many disillusioned Tory voters to the fold. Sixth is Guillaume McLaughlin, who heads Andrew’s Brussels office, and is a seasoned campaigner for the European Liberal cause.

Nahid Boethe is number seven on the list, and Cllr Earnshaw Palmer, from Thurrock, is our reserve candidate. (The number of MEPs, currently eight, elected from the East of England will be reduced to cater for the enlargement of the European Union.)

Now that we have in place such a strong team of prospective candidates, our preparations begin in earnest. Local parties are asked to include them in their campaigning, recruitment, social and fund-raising activities. The candidates’ diaries are being coordinated by Tim Huggan from Andrew Duff’s Cambridge office. Please contact Tim on 01223-566700 or at tim@andrewduffmep.org.