Clegg promises to speak for the people of Bath

3.50.06pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 19th Dec 2007

New Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg MP today promised to give  a voice to the people of Bath who feel ignored by politicians.

Setting out his priorities after being elected as party leader on December 18th, Nick Clegg, said, "I am greatly honoured to have been chosen by my fellow party members to be the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.

"Throughout Bath Liberal Democrats are already working hard to reach out to local people and listen to their concerns. In my leadership I will be taking that spirit nationwide, moving beyond party politics and making liberalism connect with the millions of people who share our values."

City MP Don Foster commented, "Nick Clegg will be a great Leader of the Liberal Democrats and I am delighted he has won the backing of members.

"Unlike the Labour Party, who gave Gordon Brown a coronation and are already regretting it, we have had a vibrant contest, with the leadership contenders travelling all round the country, including visits to Bath, setting out their ideas and listening to the views and suggestions of party members. We showed once again how we are the most open, democratic party in British politics.

"This is an exciting time to be a Liberal Democrat. Gordon Brown's Government is blundering from one disaster to another. But the Conservatives' policy-lite PR agenda has failed to catch people's imagination. People are ready to hear what the Liberal Democrats have to offer.

I look forward to having the opportunity to welcome Nick to Bath on many occasions in 2008. He has met a number of residents here in the past and no doubt he will looking to speak to a great deal more."

Clegg has already lent his support to one local campaign, signing the peition calling for the Cadbury's factory to remain in Keynsham. Clegg signed the petition and spoke with local representatives at the party's South West regional conference.

Keynsham Liberal Democrat Town Councillor Keith Kirwan who spoke at this month's huge rally in Keynsham protesting Cadburys plans to pull out of the town said, "When I explained the situation to Nick he was enthusiastic in supporting our campaign and agreed that the idea of making chocolate in Poland to then transport it 1200 miles back to the UK was barmy".

The petition has been signed by a number of other prominent Liberal Democrats in addition to local MPs Steve Williams and Steve Webb. The following have all signed the petition:

Julia Goldsworthy MP, Lord Tyler, Lembit Opik MP, Baroness Tonge, Colin Breed MP, Chris Huhne MP, Lord Teverson.