HUGE TURN-OUT OF LOCAL LIB DEMS TO SEE LEADERSHIP RIVALS

12.00.00am GMT Sun 25th Nov 2007

The LibDem leadership campaign came to St Albans on Thursday 22nd November with a special "hustings" meeting at the Marlborough Road Methodist Church - giving the chance for local LibDems to both see and hear Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg.

Local Lib Dems impressed by both contenders

Hundreds of LibDem members from across Hertfordshire filled the ground floor of the church with a large overspill into the upstairs galleries.

Sandy Walkington welcomes the Lib Dem Leadership candidates to St Albans

Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne both spoke and then answered questions from the floor, under the chairmanship of the Liberal Democrat Mayor of Watford, Dorothy Thornhill.

"It was a thrilling occasion," said Sandy Walkington, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for St Albans, who arranged the event. "It must have been one of the biggest political meetings in the city for years. Similar debates have been held on radio and television and up and down the country, but this was the only one in Hertfordshire and one of only two in the whole east of England. It shows the influence of St Albans in national LibDem circles.

"Our members were thrilled by the quality of both the candidates. Now all they have to do is vote! - with the result to be declared on December 17th. Whichever candidate is elected, he will know that West Hertfordshire is a powerhouse for the Liberal Democrats with the party already in control of Watford, Three Rivers and St Albans districts at local level and breathing down the necks of the incumbent MPs at Westminster."

ENDS

For further information, please contact Sandy Walkington on 07802 177317

Photos of the huge audience and of Sandy Walkington with Chris Huhne and Nick Clegg are attached.