Shadow over end of Regional Tour

12.00.00am GMT Thu 13th Jan 2000

Liberal Democrat MEP for Eastern England, Andrew Duff, tomorrow concludes his regional tour, which has seen him visiting every County Council in the Eastern England.

The tour, which has taken over three months to complete, has allowed Mr Duff to be briefed by the Chief Executive and Senior Council Officials in each County, on a wide range of current issues. Before moving on to Party Strategy meetings with Liberal Democrats Councillors.

Tomorrow, the tour will concluded with Mr Duff focusing on how he, as MEP, can deliver the best deal for Suffolk from Europe, in a series of meetings with Top Council Officers from Suffolk County Council and Suffolk's Liberal Democrat Leaders. In addition he will also be meeting with the East-West Rail Link Consortium to be briefed on the latest developments in this important Transport Project.

However, Mr Duff visit will be different to the other visits he has undertaken. A Work Shadow as part of the 'Industry in Parliament Programme' will be joining him. In-house Lawyer Josephine Howard will be accompanying Mr Duff throughout the day to get a first hand view of the Constituency work of a MEP.

Mr Duff commented:

"I firmly believe that politicians should be put under the closest scrutiny possible. And what closer scrutiny could there be than some shadowing you all day.

"I hope that my work shadow will be able to see how representing a diverse and dynamic region such as Eastern England is an enormous challenge.

"This Regional Programme of visits has been a first vital step and tomorrow's meetings will enable me to understand all the many current issues in Suffolk.

"I will only be an effective MEP if I am kept up to date and in touch with what are the real concerns of people in Suffolk.

In addition to visiting all the County Councils, Mr Duff has also been holding a series of Strategy Meeting with Liberal Democrat Councillors in each county to discuss the opportunities that face the party over the next few years.