We're Backing Lembit

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We'll add more comments as the campaign goes on. If you would like to add a message of support, sign up to back Lembit today!

Russell Deacon "I joined the Liberal Democrats not only because I believed it was the right party politically but because I enjoyed the campaigning and the company of the people who were its members. Lembit Opik, as well as being a friend, always reminds that politics can be fun and enjoyable. He turns that frown upside down and in these dark days of economic doom and gloom we'll certainly need that so he has my vote. "

Elaine Woodard "I've deliberated for ages about who I should vote for as I wasn't sure an MP should be President. Eventually I decided that the key differentiator was who I found most inspirational and who I thought would most inspire others. And the answer was simple - Lembit was the person who persuaded my husband to join the Lib Dems. He had resisted all other efforts for years but after talking to Lembit he offered to join, saying he thought it was about time!"

Razaz Mohamed "Lembit is one of those people which make the Lib Dems the best there is in British politics. People like Lembit could make people like me switch sides and join this great party. I will be voting for Lembit."

David Nicolle "Our Party is starved of media coverage - Lembit is a character and will obtain this for us. Boris Johnson is also a bit of a character and it did him no harm - far from it ! The other two candidates are worthy people with good ideas, but one is too young, and the other has far too low a profile for this job. Lembit has a proven track record of commitment to the party, and his loyalty is beyond reproach."

Ian MacFadyen "I am sure Lembit will be an ideal president as we move forward to elections and referenda over the next couple of years that could change our country profoundly."

Tim Leunig "Lembit reaches out. He was a successful leader in Newcastle, and then a successful MP in rural Wales. He can talk to people across Britain at a serious level, he can inspire people, and he can win. And yes, he is the only Lib Dem MP to get into Hello! magazine. We may mock - but people read it, and we need to reach out to voters from all walks of life if we want to win. Boris Johnson has shown a combination of humour and hard work is very powerful.

"Let's take a risk with someone who can reach out and connect to a different set of voters, whose votes we need."

John Hemming MP "For the party to succeed we need to get our message across and increase membership. Lembit is best placed to do both of these things."

Councillor Sam Potts "I know the two main candidates in the race to be the Liberal Democrat contest to be President. Only Lembit has the knowledge of what local party members think, expertise of how to change the party structures and the track record of helping local members and local party's perform better. I first met Lembit when I was 14 he was running a course and gave me the same time and help as the adults members. He is true to his roots and voting anything else would be a denial of the party can achieve. Good luck Lembit - you deserve it."

Margaret Ford, Cricklewood "I believe that Lembit has the drive ambition to drive our party forward for the future of Liberal Democracy."

Linda Jack, PEPC East of England "Millions of people in this country are hurting. Be that worrying about paying their bills, living in fear of violence, or suffering because they don't get the support they need, for example to care for a disabled or sick child, or to manage their mental health. Many of them have completely lost faith in politics to help solve their problems. At no other time has it been more important for us to connect with the electorate, not only to communicate, but to engage them, to help them to see that yes, it doesn't have to be like this.

"We have three excellent candidates in this election, but one is head and shoulders above the rest in meeting this challenge. Lembit has the profile, the skills and the passion. No-one else in politics, let alone our party, can connect with the people the way he can. We can talk to ourselves until we are blue (or red!) in the face - it is when we start talking to the people we will begin to REALLY take ground for this party and more importantly make a difference in the country. So, if you are undecided, now is the time to decide: Lembit will be the tonic this party and this country needs!"

Sarah Richards "It was Lembit who persuaded me to rejoin the Lib Dems after my party membership had lapsed. He got me active and now I stand for my local council so that Lib Dem supporters have someone to vote for. He is the kind of man who gets people to do things: it's very hard to say No to Lembit! I believe he has a unique combination of intellect, charisma, deep knowledge of the Party and above all absolute loyalty, and these are what I'd look for in a president. It's Lembit for me."

Bill Proctor "I retired in 2004 after 36 years as a senior Commons Officer. From this position I was well-placed to assess the performance of new Members as they arrived in Westminster. Lembit always stood out: for his articulate intelligence, for his obvious understanding of and sympathy with 'ordinary' people's problems, and for his self-deprecating sense of humour.

"Because of his balanced view of himself, I believe that Lembit will honour his commitment to support and not to compete with Nick Clegg, and in doing so is likely to prove an effective recruiting officer for the Party nationally."

Kay Friend "Lembit is a politician of great integrity with a talent for connecting with people, both within and outside the Party. He will make a great President, one who will not just work for parliamentarians, councillors and party activists but for the silent majority - the grassroots membership."

Councillor Michael Berridge "When I first went up to Bromley to help in the by-election (when Ben Abbotts lost by only 633 votes), I was stuffing envelopes when I spotted a strangely familiar face at the next table. 'Funny,' I thought, 'that looks just like Lembit Öpik.' Obviously it couldn't be: a busy MP and a leading figure in the Party must have better things to do. But it was Lembit. And that to me proves his accessibility."

Jenny Barnard-Langston "I am backing you Lembit because you have the energy to represent the Party. You also initiate new and innovative ways to communicate with the public. You have proved your loyalty to the Party in all the work you have done to attract new members. You are well qualified, well respected and I believe you have the energy to renew the Party and make it a force to be reckoned with."

James Gurling "I'm backing Lembit because loyalty counts. When Charles Kennedy left the leadership, Lembit was loyal to him and loyal to the Party. At a bad time for the Party, Lembit spoke with compassion and honesty and voiced the thoughts of so many grass-roots members."

Councillor Robert Inwood "Having Lembit as our President will raise the Party's profile. I feel that Lembit is the man that can take us to that level."

Patrick Goldstone "The Party needs a President who has a flair for publicity and Lembit certainly has that. Raise the profile..."

Richard Phillips "I have known Lembit ever since I started work as a volunteer in the Membership Department at HQ in 1991. He has always impressed me with his energy and commitment. He is particularly keen on membership development, and I consider this to be a very important feature of the role of the President. I am grateful that he has visited East Hampshire on several occasions and left a brilliant impression with the members here."

Matthew Green, former MP for Ludlow "I'm backing Lembit because I want the party to move forward. He reaches parts of the electorate most other politicians only dream of reaching. A Lembit presidency will be enjoyable but serious in message, energetic and probably exhausting and complimentary to Nick's excellent leadership. If we want to create new support for the party as well as retain our current support then it has to be the Clegg / Opik combination."

Alexi Sugden "Good luck Lembit! You deserve to be Party President. It was you who persuaded me to "put my papers in" and do a development day - which I did!"

Mark Scott "The federal party needs a president who can connect with voters as well as members. Lembit's popularity among the public will be a tremendous asset to the party and to the future Lib Dem government."

Robert Cooper, Chair of North West Hampshire Lib Dems "I'm lending my support to Lembit, as he shares so many of the views that made me join the Liberal Democrats. It is good to see he wants to move the Liberal Democrats and British Politics away from the tired old sentiments of the 'Legacy' Parties."

Councillor Mike Barker "Having a larger than life figure as our President will raise the Party's profile. Lembit is the man for that!"

Andrew Duffield "I pick Opik!"

Parmjit Singh Gill, Former MP for Leicester South "With the Labour Party in collapse and the Conservatives targeting Lib Dem supporters, never has the need been greater for a high profile President who has the capability, drive, energy and intellect to motivate the masses. Lembit has all of this and much more. "His work rate, media profile and genuine commitment to diversity are second to none. During the 2004 by-election in Leicester South which we won, no MP gave more time to help than Lembit. Even his mother came to help, and after the election he carried on coming to help. With Lembit as President, the Party's likelihood of electing another MP from a BME community will increase by 100%."

Tom Stubbs "I'm proud to be supporting Lembit in his campaign to be party president. We need some one who can get people motivated and campaign, and some one who knows how to engage not only party activists but people all over the country. I'm first Lib Dem to get elected to the NUS National Executive for 9 years, and it's still dominated by Labour, but it takes courage and conviction to go up against the odds, and win! Good Luck Lembit!"

Jacqueline Dianne Bell "As a Councillor we often feel locally that the party forgets the hard work that we do - with a concentration on gaining more Westminster seats. Lembit has been a Councillor - he has been there.

"Lembit is known by the public - we need to raise our public profile. When door knocking with him on by election day in Hartlepool passers by said 'Is that the man off the TV' and I said 'Yes'. Their response 'We'll vote for you mate'. Lembit made that time in Hartlepool a fun time - constantly referring to the steps on his new pedometer - he's one of us."

Frances McKenzie "Lembit is a true Liberal and a true Democrat will make a marvellous Party President. He has that rare ability to communicate with people from all walks of life whether they consider themselves as being interested in politics or not. Lembit will make an outstanding President!"

Paul Harding "Lembit has the most amazing ability to communicate and inspire with any group of people and actively engage in conversation with them regardless of their age or background. That's a vote winner in my book."

Councillor Neil Bradbury, Tynedale and Northumberland "I am backing Lembit because he is a motivator and will work hard for the party."

Jenny Randerson AM "I feel lucky enough to consider Lembit a friend. He is a man who cares so deeply about people that he will do anything to help anyone. In a President, we are looking for someone who is not only close to the current membership, but also someone who will reach out to people who do not yet realise they are Liberal Democrats. That is exactly the sort of person that we have in Lembit which is why I'm giving him my support."

Eleanor Burnham AM "Lembit's ability to communicate is unsurpassed in the Liberal Democrats. His talent and appeal cross all generations and barriers, making him the ideal person to bring cohesion and focus to the Party."

Christina Tyree "I think Lembit would make a great Party President. He has huge energy, enthusiasm, warmth, dedication and sense of humour which we need."

Dave Smithson, London "Some say that he is a maverick, That chap with the funny name Opik, But when it comes to campaigning, He's the one I would pick!"

Bill Schardt, Newcastle-upon-Tyne "Lembit has always had the ability to inspire and to lift the mood of any meeting he is addressing. I believe that he would be an exceptional president."

David Hampton, London "There's nothing quite as liberating as authenticity, and Lembit is one of the few real people left in politics."

Steve Bard "People always say that politics is boring - That's never the case when Lembit is involved. He is a very hard working MP but found time to support me during my by-election a few years ago. He was genuine and related superbly to all the people he met during his visit. And for these two reasons alone I support him in his quest to become our Party President."

Stephen Jeremy Tuthill "I have met and socialised with Lembit several times at conference and know personally how effective and principled he is. He joined when the party was only 3% in the polls and was part of the team that has helped us get to the point we are at now. He is a man of conscience, and a man who gets things done... he also has the impact to get things done, with an important fact that people whether Liberal or not know who he is. I without doubt am ready to stand up and say that he is the man for the job, and he is the right person for the job. He will most certainly be getting my vote."

Councillor Chris Ward "Lembit has the drive and public recognition needed to be President. He has always been available to come down and speak to students in Guildford whenever we've asked and is truly a grassroots campaigner. I'm backing Lembit 100%."

Susan Morris "Lembit - you have my vote. Thank you for coming to Eastbourne and supporting the Lib Dems in Sovereign Ward."

Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West "Back when I was an ambitious PPC, Lembit came to Leeds North West. He told me he would come back and help me and kept his promise by literally flying in to help my campaign. This was typical Lembit whose commitment to going round the country supporting local parties is second to none. There is noone in the party better at motivating members and helpers than Lembit which for me is the most important role of the Party President".

Mike Bell, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Weston-super-Mare "We need a President who will be different, dynamic and determined. That's Lembit. There is no better campaigner in the party. He is a household name who can help the Lib Dems stand out from the crowd."

Councillor Marina Pepper "I'm backing Lembit because there are many times in my life - direct actions, dealing with the treasurer of the local party, dealing with anarchists, dealing with the police at climate camp, trying to form and motivate a team for elections, challenging the Tories in council, helping my friends - when I pause and think back to the amazing team building workshop Lembit gave in Bournemouth about four years ago. 'What would Lembit say or do?' I ask myself. Nothing - no one - else has matched his ability to impart useful wisdom to activists. He has since, when asked, proffered sound advice and encouragement. Only with compassion comes understanding. Go Lembit."

Mukul Hira "I believe Lembit will be the perfect president for the Liberal Democrats."

Mark John Young "Lembit mixes well with people from all walks of life young & old and is a very, very capable politician. He has that special 'je ne sais' when he talks people stop in their tracks and listen. When I was with him we met with both business & community people in the Vale and his knowledge of the many topics that we were discussing was vast and he always offered sensible solutions!"

Candy Piercy "I believe that one of the most important jobs of the President is to Chair and lead a strong Federal Executive. Lembit has shown that he has the right skills to do that. During my time on the FE I have seen the serious, professional and politically effective side of Lembit. We will be lucky to have someone like Lembit as President - someone who combines these skills with the abilty to connect with the public through the media and the popular press."

Alex Leaney "Lembit is the right man to be president I feel with his vision the party will benefit and be even more ready to take more seats a even in time take office."

Patrick Salaun "A good communicator and effective with media."

Ruaraidh Dobson "Lembit really knows how to engage, both with the media and the public. We need a higher profile and he's just the man to offer it."

Ben Rich "The President is not another leader. The job is to inspire, conjol and stand up for ordinary members. For 20 years, no MP has worked harder to engage with and support our grassroots. Every by-election, Lembit is there. Every constituency dinner. Every training session. Lembit does so much of the President's job already - I think it's time we acknowledged his tireless work."

Colin Ross, Chair Wolverhampton South West Liberal Democrats "I am backing Lembit for a number of reasons. He is one the Party's most dedicated campaigners - I have seen him work at by-elections inspiring others to go out again and again. If Lembit says he will do something you can guarantee he will do it, and do it well. Lembit has helped me tremendously in the past when he needn't: he gave up his time to help me and I will always be grateful for that."

Dominic Hannigan, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Cardiff South and Penarth "Lembit is a phenomenal campaigner. Whenever he has come to my constituency, he has really lifted our campaign and won people over. I'll never forget when he made a 7 hour round trip to speak to a meeting of just half a dozen residents in my patch. I have no doubt he will make a great president for our party, and continue to be a great friend and asset to campaigns like mine."

Joyce Arram "Lembit will bring vitality and colour to the contest and then to the role of President."

Francesca Marritt, Chair, Yorkshire and the Humber Lib Dems "Experience, strategy and motivation - see Lembit Opik. Quite simply the best President we could have: committed to diversity with a proven record on recruitment and membership motivation - and not just in election time - and a genuinely nice and decent bloke to boot."

Gaynor Griffiths "I think Lembit would make a great President for our Party. He has my wholehearted support."

Qassim Afzal, Chair Manchester City Lib Dems & PEPC North West Region "I have known Lembit for a decade and worked with him as a member of the Federal Executive. Lembit is always ready to help. He demonstrates strong grass route Liberal politics while scrutinising for efficiency. He has a natural gravitas with the national media, becoming ahouse hold name. Lembit has strategically significant experience to drive us effectively into the next crucial European and Westminster elections, increasingly attracting voter support under our new party leader."

Duncan Clark, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Surrey Heath "Lembit's excellent media skills are just what we need to boost the Lib Dems mediocre media coverage. We need Lembit's skills and media savvy to reach parts of the media that other Lib Dems have great difficulty in reaching!"

Steve Guy, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for High Wycombe "Britain needs politicians like Lembit - who can show that politicians don't have to be dull and boring. He's a real character - but he's also a real Liberal Democrat. Electing him as President will be good for the profile of our party, and a real boost to our hard working grass roots."

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale "Lembit has an ability to motivate members and communicate within and beyond the party. His abilities are pretty much without compare and he will be an outstanding president."

Keith House, Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, and former Lib Dem Head of Membership Services "Lembit is one of a very few MPs who not only takes membership and growing the Party seriously, but has put in real time, energy and commitment to do so - from way before he ever became an MP. We urgently need to grow the Party, and Lembit as President would take a personal lead in rising to that challenge."

James Blanchard, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Huddersfield, and former Head of Office for LDYS "Lembit's work for LDYS in the past, and consistent ability to spread our message to new audiences in the media is why I'm supporting him."

Mark Oaten, MP for Winchester "I have known Lembit for over ten years and see how he loves this party and works incredibly hard for it everyday. He is a decent and loyal guy who has incredible energy and talents that will make him a superb president."

Adrian Jones, Aberdeenshire"I have no doubt that Lembit is the right person as President of the Liberal Democrats. I have not seen any other member as passionate and active in the media and public for the Liberal Democrats cause. Passion and Commitment is needed to take the party forwards to the next stage and Lembit has both in abundance."

Irfan Ahmed, www.irfanahmedblog.blogspot.com "Lembit has got the experience and I think he can really make it to the top."

Kiron Reid, Liverpool "Lembit always supported the youth & student wing of the party, at times when doing that wasn't necessarily in tune with the Party Leadership. Lembit also worked on training across the country at a time when outside ALDC it wasn't common."

Heather Kidd, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Ludlow "When ever Lembit comes across the Border to help save Post Offices or Small Schools, he charms all those he meets. At Hope School today he loved the children and they loved him and the teachers and helpers were impressed. People skills such as Lembits' will raise the profile of the Liberal Democrats and make us identifiable."

Councillor Monroe Palmer OBE BA FCA "A Party with Nick as Leader, Vince as Shadow Chancellor and Lembit as President sounds like a winning combination."

Richard Clein, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Sefton Central "Lembit has been a strong voice for liberalism over many years. It's also important that our President knows how the party works and more importantly knows the members. His commitment to the party is huge and with Lembit as President supporting Nick as Leader we can look towards a positive future and more Liberal Democrat MPs."

Richard Moore, Party member "He has done a hell of a lot of work for this party"

Paula Southwood, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Wirral South "I will be supporting Lembit for the Presidential Campaign. Everyone knows about his public profile, even people outside the party, which is virtually unheard of in the Lib Dems. But much more than that is that when I have been to listen to him speak he is a man of true Liberal Values - someone who is absolutely in touch with the the views of people across the party. This coupled with his many years of experience on the Federal Executive are what have convinced me to support him. I think we would struggle to find a more liberal, personable and able candidate for President."

Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire "The role of president requires someone with the skills to motivate and inspire, someone to take the political opportunity that presents itself today: Make the presidency work with Lembit."

Afzal Anwar, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Pendle "Lembit has shown his commitment to the party for twenty years. He has my full support and I believe he'll be the best person for the job."

Ruth Reed, RIBA "Lembit would bring a level of public perception and accessibility which would be of considerable benefit to the party."

Other backers include:

Nigel Bryan, Donald Cameron, Alan Waugh, Philip Colfox, Ken Taylor, John Lefley, John Biggam, Andy Moles, Ade Cox, Matt Davies, Martin Taylor, Neil Young, Bernadette Millam, Amanda Taylor, Peter Corcoran, Trevor Carbin, Steve Taylor, Jamie McIntyre, Timothy Young, Julian Cooper, Anna Pascoe, John Redfern, Gideon Garratt, Simon Wilding, Dave Tyler, Darren Briddock, Elizabeth Shenton - 2008 By-Election Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, Lord Brian Cotter, Richard Marriott, Lord Robin Teverson, Julia Olsen, Former MP Parmjit Singh Gill, Stephen Kearney - 2008 By-Election candidate for Henley, Fiyaz Mughal, Linda Jack, John Leech MP, Allan Sykes, Charles Anglin, Phil Hutty, Tim Prater, Andi Ali, Martin Land, Steve Guy, Joyce Arram, Chris Berry, Joshua Burt, J Mary Macqueen, Barbara Biggs, Stuart Marritt, Stephen Clarke, Tracey Owens, Stuart Emslie, Shantanu Kafle, John Morgan, Ashley Evans, Andrew Cox, Jeremy Hodge, Ian Smith, Steve Barton, Terrye Teverson, Stephen Hill, Paul Owens.