Duncan Hames for Chippenham

 

Our former party leader, Charles Kennedy MP, came to see us in Wiltshire this weekend. He was speaking at the Devizes Literary Festival on Saturday eveing. Earlier in the day he also came to an event organised by Devizes Lib Dems at the home of Shelagh Ainslie, the wife of the late Jack Ainslie, in Marlbrough. It was a chance for my colleague in Devizes, Wendy Johnson, and I to discuss our campaigns with him, and let him know about the major issues here in Wiltshire.

Charles was pleased to see so many Liberal Democrats present and in such good heart. He talked to us about his past visits to the area and the work he had done with the late Jack Ainslie, whilst he was our agriculture spokesman.

He reminded everyone that Jack Ainslie had been a recognised authority on agriculture and the countryside as well as a prominent, long-standing member of the Liberal Democrats in Wiltshire. In particular, he used his visit to encourage the prospect of an annual countryside lecture as a suitable part of Jack Ainslie’s legacy here.

Charles obviously enjoys the peace of rural Wiltshire, and it was wonderful to see him among friends here. The Liberal Democrats have a long tradition for speaking up for rural areas in Parliament and it would be a privilege to do that on behalf of residents of the new Chippenham constituency after the next election.