CHARLES KENNEDY FLIES IN FOR MEETING WITH OTLEY & YEADON LIB DEMS!

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 22nd May 2004

Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy paid a flying visit to Leeds on Friday 21st May to boost the Liberal Democrat Local Election campaign.

A key part of his visit was a special meeting with Otley & Yeadon Liberal Democrat team Colin Campbell, Ryk Downes, Graham Kirkland and Parliamentary Spokesperson Greg Mulholland. The visit was all the more appropriate as Liberal Democrat Otley Town Councillor Jonathan Kirkland has just been sworn in as Mayor of Otley.

Mr Kennedy discussed local issues and how the campaign was going in the area. Topics discussed included Leeds Bradford Airport, traffic problems and the campaign to Axe Council Tax. Liberal Democrat run Otley Town Council was on the agenda with Town Councillors Cllr Campbell and Cllr Kirkland telling Mr Kennedy how successful Otley Town Council has been and that it reflects a Liberal Democrat vision of local democracy that works when decisions that affect local people are made at the most local level.

Commenting on the area, Mr Kennedy said, "Otley & Yeadon are two fine Yorkshire towns with a real sense of Civic Pride and the people I have met are down to earth and friendly" and he added "It is great to see the strong communities that exist in such places and this can only help things to get done for the area."

The Liberal Democrats finished just behind the Conservatives in the seat last year and so Otley & Yeadon is one of the top Liberal Democrat targets at this year's local elections across the whole of Leeds. Ryk Downes, Chair of Otley & Yeadon Democrats, said, "We were delighted to welcome Charles to the area and we have promised to keep him up to date with our campaigns here."

Come the general election, Leeds North West Constituency is the top target seat for the Liberal Democrats in Leeds and Mr Kennedy has promised to visit again as part of the Liberal Democrat campaign for the seat. Greg Mulholland, Parliamentary Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats for Leeds North West constituency which includes Otley, Bramhope, part of Wharfedale, Yeadon and Rawdon said, "People in Otley & Yeadon and across Wharfedale have told us they are looking for a change and we intend to provide that change."