David Laws announced as chair of manifesto working group
Originally published by UK Liberal Democrats
The full membership is:
- David Laws MP, Chair
- Sharon Bowles MEP, Vice-Chair
- Duncan Brack, Vice-Chair (FPC Vice-Chair)
- Nick Clegg MP (Leader, FPC Member)
- Tim Farron MP (President, FPC Member)
- Duncan Hames MP (FPC Chair)
- Cllr Dr Julie Smith (FPC Vice-Chair)
- Dr Julian Huppert MP (FPC Vice-Chair)
- Jenny Willott MP (FPC Member)
- Baroness Sal Brinton (FPC Member)
- Jo Swinson MP
- Lord John Shipley
The announcement was confirmed to the Parliamentary Party Meeting of the Liberal Democrats tonight [Tuesday].
In an email to Liberal Democrat party members, Chair of the Federal Policy Committee, Duncan Hames MP, said:
"I am delighted to announce that Federal Policy Committee last night approved Nick Clegg's nomination of David Laws to Chair the 2015 Manifesto Working Group and the twelve-strong group as a whole.
"Alongside David there will also be two Vice-Chairs - Sharon Bowles MEP and Duncan Brack.
"The Manifesto Working Group will take a lead in the drafting of the 2015 manifesto. The group is constitutionally responsible to the FPC, in consultation with the Parliamentary Party. It will also undertake a wider consultation exercise with party members.
"Nick Clegg has charged David Laws and the Working Group with thoroughly stress-testing the deliverability and affordability of the future manifesto and to build on the approach of the last manifesto by clearly identifying our top priorities for a future government."
Commenting, David Laws said:
"I am very pleased to have been asked by Nick Clegg to chair our 2015 Manifesto Working Group. I look forward to working with our Federal Policy Committee and our MPs and party members to put together a package of policies that will address the big challenges being faced by the country.
"Our task is to build a strong economy and a fair society. I believe that we are the only UK political party which can be trusted to deliver on both of these public priorities."