A meeting of the local Executive Committee earlier this week, at Fourways Hotel in Blyth, approved the appointment of Leon Duveen as the Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bassetlaw in the event of an early General Election.

Leon has been active in the local Lib Dem party for a number of years, was the candidate for them in the 2015 General election and lead the local Remain campaign in the recent Referendum.

Although born in London, he has lived in Worksop with his family for over 25 years and, in addition to his party political activities, has taken prominent roles in a number of local community groups including Fairtrade for Bassetlaw & Bassetlaw Against Fracking.

Now an IT Consultant, running his own company, Leon has worked in a variety of industries both in the UK and in Israel after leaving school at 16.

After the meeting, Leon said, “I am honoured to be asked to take on the role of Prospective Parliamentary Candidate here in Bassetlaw again.   Since the 2015 General Election, our local Liberal Democrat party has tripled in size as many people now realise just how influential we were during the Coalition years & how much that influence has been missing since in Government since May 2015.

 “Here in Bassetlaw we still face many of the same challenges we did then, creating jobs, providing homes and building the infrastructure we need to support growth in our area.  We all now the Tories, for all the fine words Theresa May uttered on assuming office, won’t deliver for us here in the North Midlands and that Labour, being too busy tearing itself apart over internal squabbles, can’t deliver.

“Only a strong Liberal Democrat voice in Parliament, speaking up for the people here in Bassetlaw, can make sure we get the investment we need to meet those challenges.  Only a strong Liberal Democrat voice, speaking up for Bassetlaw, will fight against fracking happening here.  Only a strong Liberal Democrat voice, representing Bassetlaw in Parliament can make sure we are no longer the forgotten part of the UK when decisions are made in Westminster.