LIB DEMS HOPE FOR TWO: 'DEFEAT THE NATIONALISTS', SAYS DUFF

7.56.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th May 2009

East of England Liberal Democrats are in a good position to gain a second seat in the European Parliament at the election next Thursday, 4 June. As their door-to-door campaigning intensifies across the region, Andrew Duff MEP says:

"Anger at the Westminster expenses scandal is turning into a more serious effort to engage with the political reform agenda that Liberal Democrats have advanced for years.

"The huge challenges posed by the financial turmoil, economic crash, climate change and international insecurity make a powerful case for a stronger and better European Union.

"Liberal Democrats believe that Britain has a choice between being stronger together in Europe, or poorer apart.

"We are well known for getting things done in our county councils, and for providing real opposition at Westminster. As leader of the Lib Dems in the European Parliament, I am helping to ensure that Europe delivers benefits for our region, our country and the wider world.

"Voters would be wise to avoid single issue parties which have no answers to the big political agenda.

"I hope that the nationalists and isolationists are heavily defeated in the East of England. It is frankly a disgrace that we have had two UKIP MEPs for the last five years who have been either useless or embroiled in corruption scandals.

"As people react against failing Labour and avoid a Tory vote that would further marginalise the UK in Europe, they are turning to the Lib Dems. Engaging with the electorate we find encouraging support. Linda Jack has a good chance of becoming our second MEP next week."

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Editors' Note: The Lib Dems need only a 3% swing on the 2004 result to win two seats in the European Parliament.