OVER one hundred people from across Thornbury and Yate met in Thornbury to celebrate an influx of new members to the Liberal Democrats.

Whilst the local party was disappointed to see Steve Webb narrowly defeated at the General Election, the weeks since have seen the biggest surge in party membership since records began.

The meeting was a chance for the new members to meet more established campaigners and councillors and to find out more about how the local party operates.

At the meeting they heard from the local party chairman, Cllr Karen Wilkinson from Marshfield, and from Steve Webb.

Cllr Wilkinson told the gathering that the rush of new members had been a great boost after the disappointment of the election and said that she looked forward to working with them to campaign for local people.

Speaking after the meeting, Steve Webb said: “It has been a great encouragement to see new people from across the constituency and of all ages joining the party in recent weeks.

“They were united in the view that they wanted to stand up for Lib Dem values such as standing up for human rights, quality public services and protecting the environment”.

Karen Wilkinson said: “It has been uplifting to see the determination of our existing members being strengthened by so many new people prepared to stand up for their belief in a liberal and democratic society.”

Ellie-Barrett-Rees, a 17-year-old member from Frampton Cotterell, said: “I am so excited to be getting involved with local politics.

“I think it’s important that more young people engage in politics to understand how local parties work, and maybe even shake up the system. It was inspiring to see so many like-minded people and I hope to meet many more.”

Ellie is setting up a local ‘Liberal Youth’ group which will have its first meeting in July. Anyone interested in finding out more can contact the Lib Dems’ local organiser, Cllr Ben Campbell by e-mail: benc6262@gmail.com