Newbury Constituency Liberal Democrats choose DAVID RENDEL for Parliamentary Candidate

3.04.17pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 14th May 2006

David Rendel celebrates his election as Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

Newbury Liberal Democrats have chosen their former MP David Rendel to be their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. In a very high turnout election of local members, Mr Rendel was selected from among five leading Thames Valley candidates short-listed for the position.

Local Party Chairman Councillor Tony Vickers said after the result was announced at a hustings in Trinity School, Shaw:

"We had a very spirited contest over several weeks, during which more people joined the Liberal Democrats locally than for many years. David has received an overwhelming and well deserved vote of confidence from the members - one member one vote - against strong opposition."

Mr Rendel was the Member of Parliament for Newbury for twelve years, winning the seat with a record majority in a by-election in 1993. Following his selection, he said:

"This vote has been hugely encouraging as I begin the task of winning back the seat from the Conservatives. I am very grateful to our local membership for making it clear that they are supporting me wholeheartedly in my campaign to reverse last year's result.

"The speed with which the local Conservatives have lost popularity since they took control of the local Council last year has staggered even hardened observers of politics.

"Moreover the precedents laid down by other seats are all good. In both Portsmouth South and Brecon and Radnor, we first won the seat in a by-election, then lost it in a General Election, and then won it back with the same candidate after the electorate had tried the Tories again for a few years and found them wanting. I believe we can achieve exactly the same in West Berkshire."