MARTIN WELCOMES NEW LEADER

10.09.42am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 28th Jun 2007

No, not Gordon Brown. Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood today welcomed the election of Councillor Steve Jordan (All Saints) as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats on Cheltenham Borough Council. Cllr Jordan replaces Cllr Andrew McKinlay (St.Paul's). Martin paid tribute to them both.

"Andy has led the Council and the Lib Dem group through some difficult times but never lost his sense of humour or his commitment to the people of Cheltenham. In power, he presided over a dramatic rise in recycling in the town and defended services for Cheltenham's homeless even when finances were tight. The contrast with the current Tory administration could not be greater. Many people in Cheltenham owe Andy a real debt of gratitude. It is no surprise that he is stepping down from the leadership after more than five year's service. I know he will continue to be a committed ward councillor for St.Paul's".

"I have every confidence in Steve Jordan's leadership. Steve's style is one of quietly effective hard work. He has already been a hugely valuable source of advice and support on local government issues for me and I look forward to working with him to provide leadership for the town's Liberal Democrat councillors and activists. Our first priority will be towards preparing the local party for the Borough elections in 2008 and perhaps a general election this autumn. We start from a strong base with a united team."