WESTMINSTER BIG GUNS IN TOWN

4.17.54pm GMT Wed 3rd Feb 2010

With the general election a little under four months away, South Molton was one of the first stopping places for the Liberal Democrats as possibly their most famous leader in living memory, Lord Paddy Ashdown was in town on 22 January. However, on the following Thursday, 28 January current leader Nick Clegg also visited South Molton Pannier Market.

When asked why North Devon was the focus of such high profile Lib Dem attention, Nick Clegg responded by stating, 'North Devon is a hugely important area for the Liberal Democrats. We have an outstanding MP here in the shape of Nick Harvey - not to mention the fact he is a close personal friend.

"People are at present fed up with politics, with the Tories and Labour and I'm here to drive home the message that the Liberal Democrats care about the issues facing rural areas."

Nick Clegg, accompanied by North Devon MP Nick Harvey, also took time to visit the My Start Children's Centre in Ilfracombe and Petroc College's Barnstaple campus.

Earlier Paddy Ashdown (accompanied by Nick Harvey and Adam Symons, PPC for Torridge & West Devon) visited South Molton Recycle noting, "South Molton Recycle is a national leader, a phenomenal success and is in the front line of an issue that concerns us most. It's a great example of an act global, think local. Here is a good thing, it works and provides jobs but for some bizarre reason the Tories (NDC) have nationalised a community service at a greater cost to the tax payer."

Paddy also visited Bishops Nympton's Community Shop and Post Office.

Elements of this report were first published in South Molton & District News, February 2010