Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes for 2009 from Ashford Liberal Democrats

6.15.00pm GMT Wed 24th Dec 2008

Happy Holidays

I would like to wish all our readers a very happy festive season and the very best for 2009.

2008 has been a great year for Ashford Liberal Democrats. With no elections to fight we worked on increasing our membership and, to that end, delivered a constituency wide survey - thank you to everyone who returned this - I'll be sending every respondent a letter shortly after the New Year.

2008 saw a number of major campaigns start or continue. The Eurostar campaign has been brilliantly fought by Edith Robson and her team - we encourage everyone to continue to press Eurostar's management for the restoration of Ashford's previous timetable.

2008 also saw the huge growth of the Lorry Park Alliance, a campaign against the siting of a Lorry Park to deal with Operation Stack in the Aldington area. An environmental study has meant the issue is off Kent County Council's agenda for now but it will, I am sure, return with a vengeance in 2009, particularly in the run up to the County Elections in June.

I'm looking forward to another successful year in 2009 when we will be looking at increasing our numbers at both the County and European elections.

Away from politics Josie and I plan to keep running for WaterAid and the Pilgrims Hospice - I have a somewhat chilly 10 mile race in Canterbury on January 25th as we both build up to another marathon in September (unless of course Mr Brown calls a General Election!)

For those of you who enjoy this site but are not yet members perhaps you would like to make a New Year resolution to join the party!

You will be most welcome, whether you wanted to deliver leaflets or just wanted to enjoy the numerous social events we hold.

Thank you all for your tremendous support over the year!

Seasons Greetings,

Chris Took

Ashford Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Spokesman