CAMPBELL ANNOUNCES NEW LIB DEM SPOKESPERSON FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITY

10.39.47am GMT Mon 20th Mar 2006

Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, last Friday announced Solihull MP, Lorely Burt as the Party's new Spokesperson for Women and Equality.

Lorely Burt overturned a majority of 9,407 at the 2005 General Election to take Solihull from the Conservatives. She has served on the Treasury Select Committee, and in addition to her new duties Lorely will also serve as the Party's Small Business spokesperson.

Lorely will be working closely with Sir Menzies' Chief of Staff, Norman Lamb MP, to increase the number of female and ethnic minority Parliamentary candidates.

Commenting, Sir Menzies said:

"I am very pleased to announce Lorely as our new spokesperson for women and equalities. She will be an excellent advocate for greater equality for women and members of all Britain's diverse communities.

"It is vital that if we want to represent the people of Britain, we need to be a Party which recognises the concerns of all our citizens and has a Parliamentary party which reflects all our diverse communities."

Lorely Burt added:

"I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed spokesperson for women and equality.

"Equality issues apply to all groups in society, not simply women and ethnic minorities. I intend to fight for the rights all groups who feel unjustly treated."

In addition, Deputy Whip, Jenny Willott MP, has been appointed Youth Affairs spokesperson.