OPIK FLIES IN TO BACK GREG MULHOLLAND

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 20th Apr 2005

Top Lib Dem, Lembit Opik flew in to Leeds-Bradford airport at the weekend to give his backing to local candidate for Parliament, Greg Mulholland. The Leeds North West seat - where Mulholland hopes to become MP - is the brightest prospect for the Lib Dems in West Yorkshire.

Commenting on the campaign so far, Lembit Opik said, "It is clear that the Liberal Democrats can win in Leeds North West. Greg and his team are campaigning hard to give local people a real alternative to Labour."

Following a report in the media that the Conservatives have largely abandoned their hopes for the seat, Opik said, "It is clear that only Liberal Democrats can beat Labour here. Local people know the Lib Dems are moving forwards while the Tories have got a lower share of the vote at every election since the 1970s."

Welcoming the visit, Greg Mulholland said, "We are delighted that Lembit has flown here especially to lend us his support. He is the ninth senior Lib Dem Parliamentarian to visit us in recent weeks, but the first to pilot his own aeroplane!"

Lembit Opik was MP for Mongomeryshire until the dissolution of Parliament last Monday. He is the Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Wales and Northern Ireland.

The New Statesman reports in its 18th April edition: "By retiring this year, he [Harold Best] is leaving the seat up for grabs, but it would appear that the Tories don't feel they can snatch the seat back."