City Lib Dems welcome Nick Clegg's New Year Message

10.37.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 8th Jan 2008

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg

New Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has launched his leadership with an annual message criticising Gordon Brown's record and Labour's plans for identity cards.

Nick said, "2008 will be a momentous year for the Liberal Democrats. We have before us an unparalleled opportunity."

Looking to May's elections in Oxford City and elsewhere he said, "we must reach beyond the stale two-party system to the millions of people who share our liberal values, and change Britain for the better. Let us show what that means in the local elections that face us this spring."

Cllr. John Goddard, leader of Oxford City council, welcomed Nick's bright start: "Nick Clegg combines youth and experience, passion and sound judgment, deeply held principles with compassionate practical application. He can make our Liberal Democracy a force to challenge Brown's boorish centralism and Cameron's chameleon-like superficialities. Together we can make Oxford a test-bed for our new politics where people come first and take charge of their own futures."

"I'm delighted that in Nick we have a leader who has first-hand experience of the needs of a city like Oxford," said David Rundle, Deputy leader of the City Council. "But what equally pleases me that the last few months have shown what a talented team we have, with Nick leading and both Vince Cable and Chris Huhne as central members of a front bench far more able than anything the other parties can offer."

Related Link:

National Lib Dems site: Nick Clegg's New Year Message.