LOCAL Liberal Democrats say they have high hopes for the future after the election of Charles Kennedy as the party's leader.

Cllr Pat Quinton, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Lancaster City Council, said "I think he's fine."

While admitting that she voted for runner-up Simon Hughes, Cllr Quinton told the Citizen: "I was happy with either of them, in fact I think most of the people who stood were fine."

Despite the new face, Cllr Quinton does not expect a huge shift in policy: "He talks about issues like the environment and social justice which are at the core of what Liberal Democrats believe." A major issue in the election was the question of closer links with Labour. Cllr Quinton foresees continued co-operation over constitutional reform, but expects the party to "Fight Labour on other issues when we think they are doing the wrong thing."

More than 50,000 party members voted in the election. Cllr Quinton told the Citizen: "In our party, every member has a vote."

The new leadership has prompted increased optimism in Liberal Democrat ranks, with Cllr Quinton describing her party as "very optimistic." She added "We're in a good position, but we must bring more people into the party and set out what we believe."

Charles Kennedy's last visit to Lancaster was in 1997, when he spoke to students at the University.

Mr Kennedy, whose election was announced on Monday after a nationwide ballot of party members, is a former president of the party and lately its agriculture spokesman. He beat off five rivals for the position.

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