NICK CLEGG CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF LIBERALISM IN THE HEART OF CORNWALL

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Sep 2009

Steve Gilbert with Lib Dem Leader Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, was in St Austell last night at a dinner to mark 35 years of Liberal and Liberal Democrat Parliamentary representation in the heart of Cornwall.

Nick Clegg joined St Austell's Parliamentary candidate Steve Gilbert and over 100 supporters for the local party's annual dinner at the Cliff Head Hotel.

As well as a key-note speech from Nick Clegg the guests also heard recollections from the past 35 years from Annette Egerton, the wife of former Truro & St Austell MP David Penhaligon, former North Cornwall MP Paul Tyler, and Cornwall's former Euro MP, Robin Teverson.

At the dinner Nick Clegg said: "The Conservatives have nothing to offer. Cornwall's sky-high water bills and housing crisis started on their watch. In the tradition of David Penhaligon and Matthew Taylor, Steve Gilbert will always put local people before party politics. He will make an excellent MP."

The General Manager of the Cliff Head Hotel, Robert Brooks, said: "We were delighted to welcome Nick Clegg and the local Lib Dems for their annual dinner - it was a proud night for the Cliff Head Hotel."

St Austell's Parliamentary candidate, Steve Gilbert, said: "It was great to have Nick Clegg down in St Austell - the evening really brought home to me the rich Liberal heritage of St Austell which was started by David Penhaligon more than 35 years ago."