Kennedy addresses the candidates

6.09.25am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 20th May 2004

Manchester's 96 Liberal Democrat council candidates had the opportunity on Monday to meet with Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy when he was introduced to them by Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr Simon Ashley.

"Here in Manchester only the Liberal Democrats are offering a full slate of candidates to fight the Labour Administration." Cllr Ashley told Charles, "We are the largest opposition in Manchester for 25 years, and I believe that we will come out of this election with many more councillors and many more seats in this City."

Charles Kennedy observed that in many urban areas like Manchester the only opposition to Labour comes from the Liberal Democrats, and he thanked the assembled candidates for the hard work which is being done by their campaign teams on the ground throughout the City.

Charles observed that he had been shown many local manifestos from Liberal Democrats around the country, and in all of them there had been a very common thread. Better services, local decision making and improvements to the environment.

"I look to you, here in Manchester, for great things after June 10th" Charles added to loud applause.