David Rendel: "We will win back Newbury from the Conservatives"

7.03.24pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 14th May 2006

David Rendel met with supporters in Newbury's Market Square following his overwhelming reselection by Newbury Liberal Democrats as their PPC

Newbury Liberal Democrats have overwhelmingly backed former MP David Rendel to be their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate at the next General Election.

In a very high turnout election of local members, David was voted in following a hustings of all the candidates at Trinity School, Shaw.

Following his successful selection, David noted:

"This vote has been hugely encouraging as I begin the task of winning back the seat from the Conservatives. I am very grateful to our local membership for making it clear that they are supporting me wholeheartedly in my campaign to reverse last year's result.

"The speed with which the local Conservatives have lost popularity since they took control of the local Council last year has staggered even hardened observers of politics. Moreover the precedents laid down by other seats are all good. In both Portsmouth South and Brecon and Radnor, we first won the seat in a by-election, then lost it in a General Election, and then won it back with the same candidate after the electorate had tried the Tories again for a few years and found them wanting. I believe we can achieve exactly the same in West Berkshire."

Local Party Chairman Councillor Tony Vickers commented after the result was announced: "We had a very spirited contest over several weeks, during which more people joined the Liberal Democrats locally than for many years. David has received an overwhelming and well deserved vote of confidence from the members - one member one vote - against strong opposition."