news story

11th June 2007

"Happy 10th Birthday" - Local Lib Dems Tell Steve Webb!

Steve Webb MP flanked by just some of the local party members, supporters and their families who attended the event on Friday evening. Pictured far right is Emma Bone, Lib Dem candidate for Filton & Bradley Stoke

Northavon Liberal Democrats were in party mood on Friday evening (June 8th) when they celebrated the tenth anniversary of Steve Webb being elected to Parliament. The 'tenth birthday party' was held at Olveston Parish Hall and was attended by Lib Dem members and supporters from across the area.

The evening began with Steve Webb giving a light-hearted talk to members about some of his experiences as an MP, and looking ahead to the future, as well as touching on some more serious topics. He highlighted in particular the current Lib Dem campaign to block a Conservative attempt for Parliament to be exempt from Freedom of Information legislation. He also stressed the importance of the Lib Dems not only holding the new 'Thornbury and Yate' constituency (when Northavon is abolished at the next General Election) but also winning the neighbouring 'Filton & Bradley Stoke' constituency which takes in part of Steve Webb's current area.

After Steve's talk, Northavon chairman Jean Capstick read out personal words of tribute from past and present Lib Dem leaders, who praised Steve's contribution to Parliament over the last decade. The evening progressed with an auction of promises to raise money for local party funds, before concluding with a light-hearted question-and-answer session.

Commenting after the event, Steve said:

"I was touched by the large number of local party members who turned out to offer their congratulations on my 'tenth birthday' as local MP. We had members of all ages and from all parts of the area, and it was a very happy occasion.

"I told my colleagues that there is much more work to be done and I recommitted myself to serving all the people of our area over the coming years at Westminster. We also have a great chance to gain a second Liberal Democrat MP in South Gloucestershire with Emma Bone standing in Filton and Bradley Stoke, and we will be working closely together to see this happen".