Lib Dem Leader Sir Menzies Campbell visits Southwark on campaign trail

6.19.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Apr 2006

Menzies Campbell on a walkabout in Southwark

Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, today visited Southwark to give his personal support to Southwark Lib Dems for May's local elections.

Local Lib Dem campaigners and candidates greeted former Olympic athlete Sir Menzies at Camberwell Leisure Centre to highlight one of their key election pledges to refurbish all of Southwark's leisure centres to a 21 st century standard.

Southwark Lib Dem Leader, Cllr Nick Stanton, and Brunswick Park candidates, Anood Al-Samerai, Poddy Clark and Gemma O'Keeffe, then led Sir Menzies and North Southwark and Bermondsey MP Simon Hughes on a tour of Camberwell to meet local residents and discuss the key election issues.

Menzies Campbell at Tadims in Southwark

Sir Menzies gave his support to the Lib Dem campaign to open Camberwell Police Station to the public and the campaign for an Alcohol Control Zone to tackle the problems of anti-social street drinking.

Commenting on the visit, Sir Menzies said:

"Southwark Lib Dems have a huge amount to be proud of and it is clear they have a lot of support in the local community."

"Their pledges to refurbish local leisure centres and to tackle anti-social behaviour and street drinking will have a great impact on the quality of life for Southwark residents."

Menzies Campbell at Camberwell Leisure Centre

"The residents and business people I met today have really seen a difference since the Lib Dems took control of Southwark Council and I hope their record of success will give people a positive reason to go out and vote Lib Dem on May 4th."