Leadership Election

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 15th Oct 2007

Exeter's Lib Dem PPC has reacted to the news the party faces leadership election.

Graham Oakes said: "Menzies Campbell was a successful Leader for the party, overseeing two fantastic Westminster by-elections where the Tories were pushed into third place and where the Lib Dems in Exeter topped the poll beating Labour and pushing David Cameron's Tories into 3rd place."

"I am disappointed that he has decided to stand down. He has displayed a maturity and political judgement that has earned him respect from MPs in all parties and he has stuck to his principles, which has touched a chord with supporters of all parties and of none. People trusted him and far too much was made of his age."

Commenting on the position in the City Graham added "The Lib Dems in Exeter are growing stronger by the day, whoever is the new Leader will expect a good result in the new constituency at the General Election."