Seize the Opportunity

Written by Nick Clegg MP and published in Message to Members on Mon 8th Jun 2009

This is an extraordinary moment in British politics. Political and economic crises mean that great changes are possible - and I want Liberal Democrats to seize the opportunity ahead.

In many ways, we have had a very successful few weeks since we won the House of Commons vote on the Gurkhas.

In the last week, with your help and support, we have:

Beaten Labour into third place in the local elections (with a record high vote share of 28%)

Won almost three times as many council seats as Labour (484 Liberal Democrat councillors to Labour's 178)

Added Bristol to the list of major cities run by Liberal Democrats that includes Cardiff, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Edinburgh

Won five of the six county seats in Burnley from Labour (the BNP won the sixth)

Gained an extra MEP (and more or less maintained our vote share)

Elected Liberal Democrat MEPs in every part of England and Scotland, whilst narrowly failing to win a seat in Wales

I am very grateful to our candidates, their campaign teams and helpers and our members for your support.

At Prime Minister's Questions last week I said "Labour is finished". Most voters agreed with that assessment this week.

At the same time, the Conservatives have failed to offer a real alternative to Labour's political and economic failures.

Of course, I will continue asking for your help to continue building the Liberal Democrats as the only credible progressive force in British politics. We are the only party that can stand up for equal opportunities, for civil liberties, for our environment and for fairness.

It's clearer than ever that we are different from the old "establishment" parties and we have the energy, ideas and leadership to change this country for good.