Sarah Ludford MEP declares support for Sir Menzies Campbell

12.00.00am GMT Mon 6th Feb 2006

Sarah welcoming Sir Menzies Campbell to Brussels

Three Liberal Democrat women MEPs have declared their support for Sir Menzies Campbell to be the next leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Yorkshire MEP Diana Wallis, former leader of the Liberal Democrat MEPs, Fiona Hall from the North-East, and current deputy leader of the MEPs Baroness Sarah Ludford from London, said after a 'hustings' meeting and individual discussions with Sir Menzies:

Sarah and Sir Menzies Campbell with Diana Wallis MEP (left) and Fiona Hall MEP (right)

"Ming has both the authority and the commitment to lead the Liberal Democrats in the present challenging circumstances. He combines passion for Liberal values with a grasp of how to translate those into advances for the party."

"As he rightly says, 'to be a Liberal Democrat is to be a moderniser'. His intention to draw on all strands of liberalism in marking out distinctive territory in British politics will ensure that the party pulls strongly together in the quest for greater electoral success."