Paddy Ashdown to visit Edinburgh University (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats <info@aberdeensouthlibdems.org.uk>

Paddy Ashdown to visit Edinburgh University

March 18, 2009 12:40 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Former Liberal Democrat Leader and international statesman Paddy Ashdown will be in Edinburgh on Thursday 26 March to speak to students at Edinburgh University.

Lord Ashdown will be speaking at a public meeting organised by Edinburgh University Liberal Democrats at 5:30pm on Thursday 26 March in the main lecture theatre in the William Robertson Building, George Square, Edinburgh. The meeting is open to students and members of the public. He will speak on the current international situation and there will be an opportunity for questions.Fred Mackintosh: Edinburgh South

Speaking from his home in Somerset Paddy Ashdown said, "I always enjoy my visits to Edinburgh. The city is a key battleground for the Liberal Democrats and I know that many students will want to see real change in Britain at the next General Election. It is very clear that lack of action on Middle East peace and the continuing threat of climate change we live in a dangerous world which will never be the same again."

Commenting on Paddy Ashdown's visit, President of Edinburgh University Liberal Democrats Ross Stalker said, "I am very pleased that Lord Ashdown has agreed to speak at Edinburgh. The vast majority of Edinburgh students opposed Labour's invasion of Iraq and share Paddy's view that a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians is essential to our security."

Lord Ashdown's visit is part of the Liberal Democrat campaign to elect local campaigner Fred Mackintosh as the Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh South at the next General Election. The constituency covers the busy student areas of Bruntsfield, Marchmont and Newington. In 2005 only 405 votes separated Labour and the Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh South and with the re-election of Mike Pringle as the Liberal Democrat MSP in 2007 a win for the Liberal Democrats in the General Election is on the cards.