Duff welcomes Kennedy victory

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 9th Aug 1999

Andrew Duff, MEP for Eastern England, has warmly welcomed Charles Kennedy's election as Leader of the Liberal Democrats

"Charles Kennedy was clearly the best choice for the party, and I was pleased to play a part in his successful leadership bid.

"He is a long-standing personal friend, and I look forward to working closely with him as Leader over the next years.

"Charles has a radical core that is sometimes belied by his affable exterior: he will be a tough competitor of the prime minister's and he will knock spots off Mr Hague.

"He is a good European, and will be a strong ally in the campaign to make a reality of the English regions. His previous portfolios of both European and agricultural affairs has often brought him to this region, and I and the whole party here look forward to welcoming him back as Leader.

"The democratic way the Lib Dems select their Leader has to be commended.

"No other party holds a postal ballot of its entire membership. We trust all our members to take the right decision after a very thorough process of informed internal debate. Those who want to help Britain become a modern, democratic and European place would be most welcome to join us under Charles's invigorating leadership."

Andrew Duff was for many years Paddy Ashdown's special adviser on European Union affairs. He ended his statement by adding:

"My pleasure at Charles's election is tinged with sadness at the end of the Ashdown regime. Paddy has done stalwart service for his party and his country, and I have been privileged to work with him over many years. He has bequeathed a strong and vibrant force in British politics to his natural successor, Charles Kennedy."