Eastleigh Lib Dems Win Top Award

5.32.39pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 23rd Sep 2004

Lib Dems Win Top Award (Pic: A. Folkes)

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats were today presented with a national award in recognition of their achievements in boosting party membership and involving its members in the party's activities.

The Penhaligon Award - which is awarded each year to a different constituency party - was presented at the Liberal Democrat National Conference in Bournemouth shortly before the leader's speech.

Accepting the award were Chris Huhne MEP, David Chidgey MP and local party chairman, Cllr David Goodall. Party President, Simon Hughes MP, presented the award.

Chris Huhne said:

'Winning this award is a sign of the success of the Liberal Democrats in Eastleigh. At a time when the national membership of political parties is falling, here in Eastleigh the Liberal Democrats are going from strength to strength. I am particularly proud that the Liberal Democrats nationally have recognised this'

The award comes in the same year that the Liberal Democrats have achieved their biggest ever majority on Eastleigh Borough Council. A significant achievement after ten years of control.

Simon Hughes added:

'This is a well-deserved award for an outstanding achievement. It is a sign that it is a local party that is really going places.'