Michael Meadowcroft has joined the Liberal Democrats

1.20.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 9th Oct 2007

Michael Meadowcroft has joined the Liberal Democrats. Michael is the former Liberal MP for Leeds West and has over forty-five years experience of Liberal politics at all levels. He is a former Chair of the Electoral Reform Society and has led, or been a member of, missions to thirty-five different countries, assisting in the transition to multi-party democracy.

Describing the current situation as 'critical', Michael said "The political situation now is very different to what it was twenty years ago. Today three issues amongst many seem particularly to demand attention and involvement."

"The consequences of the US and UK invasion and occupation of Iraq continue to make life horrendous for the Iraqi people."

"The Government's determination to use identity cards as the main means to create a massive database on every citizen is a huge threat to our privacy and to our essential civil liberties."

"The bright vision of a united Europe is under serious threat from xenophobes and conservatives of Right and Left who believe that somehow the British Isles can be floated off into the Atlantic in contradiction and defiance of its geographic location and its European heritage."

"Realistically, to play any role in influencing these issues one has now to be in the mainstream of politics."

Michael Meadowcroft's involvement with Liberal politics began in 1958 when he joined Southport Young Liberals. In 1962 he joined the staff at Liberal Party headquarters, shortly afterwards becoming the party's Local Government Officer.

In 1967 he moved to his home county of the West Riding of Yorkshire and, the following May, was elected to the Leeds City Council - the first Liberal success there for thirty years. He continued to be involved with the party organisation regionally and nationally until his election as MP for Leeds West in 1983.

Michael opposed the merger of the Liberal Party and the SDP in 1988 and he was instrumental in maintaining an independent Liberal Party, albeit considerably attenuated and marginalised.

For over forty years Michael has written articles, pamphlets and booklets on a wide range of aspects of Liberalism. He has appeared on both BBC television's Question Time and BBC Radio 4's Any Questions. He is a regular columnist in the Yorkshire Post and writes for Liberator magazine.

Michael Meadowcrofts website is at:

http://www.bramley.demon.co.uk/