Lembit: The Manifesto

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A President of Primary Colours

Download Lembit's Manifesto Leaflet [Full Colour PDF]

"We'll only get to government if we stand out above the old parties. I want the Lib Dems to project ourselves in primary colours: bold, clear, forceful.

"We have to look distinct and unmistakably Lib Dem. I can project clear messages - but more than that, I'll make the Party do that too. It's alright to be challenging as long as we're clear - that's the breath of fresh air the country craves from its politicians.

"If you're prepared to believe in a Lib Dem Government, and if you want a party of primary colours not pastel shades, elect me as your President, and I'll make it happen."

My Record

• I've served 17 consecutive years on Federal Executive with 94%+ attendance record!

• I'm senior Vice President since 2003 and Deputy Chair to Simon Hughes

• I've made ALL recruitment videos since 1990 with a new one out this winter

• I'm a qualified trainer and regularly run courses for activists

• I've visited and spoken at over 200 constituencies

• I'm regularly on Question Time, Any Questions, Radio 4 and the national media

• I'm a well known and - I hope! - popular household name

My 5 point plan for President

1. I'll ensure the Party projects its image in primary colours

2. I'll make the Party structures ready for Government

3. I'll support the Leader and NEVER compete with his role

4. I'll achieve POSITIVE membership growth by 2010

5. I'll be your voice - a voice Party HQ and the Leadership can't ignore

Your choice

"Your choice is about the style and vision you want from your President. I'm strong, lively, high profile and a recognised voice. I've always stood up for Liberal principles - independent research in September 2008 revealed I'm the most liberal MP in the Party!

"And I'm a loyalist: I stood up for Charles Kennedy as leader right to the end because he didn't deserve to be treated the way he was. I've also defended other colleagues under fire in the media even when nobody else has been willing to do so. I've spoken and campaigned for the Lib Dems in every part of the UK. I was a councillor for half a decade and an MP for 11 years - but I've never forgotten my roots.

"I've ALWAYS said President is the job for me. I was runner up to Simon Hughes in the 2004 Presidential election - I said I'd stand again and I'm keeping that promise now. Now it's the right time for me. I connect with the Party by going everywhere I can, year in year out since 1990. I've spoken countrywide at Party events, conferences and training sessions for almost half my life!

"I want to be a President with vim and verve, whom everybody knows and with true commitment to the Party. I'll ensure Nick Clegg's challenge to knock on 1 million doors is achieved by hands-on effort and building an unstoppable team. This takes risk, but nothing great was ever achieved without courage.

"I'm serious about our future, serious about the Presidency and serious about doing it with enthusiasm and inspiration. And I'm a realist - I know what I can do, and as Number Two to the current President, I've already done it. I hope you'll give me the chance to serve you with all my energy and all my heart - a President for the membership, a President for results… a President of Primary Colours."

About me

• Aged 43, born in Bangor, Northern Ireland

• Educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, then Bristol University

• Student activist in National Union of Students from 1985 to 1988

• Newcastle City Councillor, 1992-1997

• Candidate for European Parliament, 1994

• Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire, 1997-present

• President, then Chair of Patrons, Motor Neurone Disease Association

• Successfully led campaign to raise £11.5 million for MND research in under 2 years

• Held Montgomeryshire in 2005 with largest majority since 1962

• Directly involved in Northern Ireland peace process from 1997-2007

• Shadow Secretary of State for Wales 2001-2007

• Shadow Secretary of State for Business & Enterprise 2007

• Shadow Housing Minister 2007-present

• Have spoken in 55 debates in the commons and asked 187 Parliamentary questions in the last year

• Identified by Liberal Vision as the most Liberal MP in the Party in September 2008

• One of the three most recognised MPs in the Liberal Democrats

Lembit is officially the most Liberal MP in the Liberal Democrats

A President to the Membership - a President of Primary Colours

Endorsements include Greg Mulholland, Tim Farron, Robin Teverson and Steven Kearney