Lib Dem Big Guns come to St Albans - leadership candidates visit

10.19.53am GMT Tue 13th Nov 2007

Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne

St Albans has been selected as the only Hertfordshire venue for a Liberal Democrat leadership hustings meeting. The two candidates, Nick Clegg MP and Chris Huhne MP, will be speaking and answering members' questions on the evening of Thursday 22nd November at the Marlborough Road Methodist Church in the centre of St Albans. Dorothy Thornhill, Liberal Democrat directly elected Mayor of Watford, will chair the meeting, which is for party members only.

Sandy Walkington, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for St Albans, said: "We are lucky to have two such outstanding candidates to follow Menzies Campbell as Lib Dem leader, and I know that many people are finding it hard to choose between them. This is the chance for our local members to hear them in person and see how they respond to key policy issues.

"This is the only such hustings meeting planned for Hertfordshire - and indeed not every UK county will be able to have a hustings meeting in the time available. So this is further evidence of the importance of St Albans and Hertfordshire in Liberal Democrat national thinking."

Vince Cable in parliament

On the evening following the leadership hustings, the St Albans Liberal Democrats will be welcoming Vince Cable MP, Shadow Chancellor and currently Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats, at their annual dinner at the Quality Hotel in London Road. The dinner will be chaired by Lord Tom McNally, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords and a resident of St Albans.

"This is the most glittering array of front bench politicians of any party to visit St Albans for many years," Sandy said. "We are expecting a huge turn-out to both events. It is a great tribute to the reputation of the city residents for their interest in politics and in wanting to discuss the big challenges facing modern Britain."