WOKING’S Liberal Democrat contingent welcomed Deputy Leader of their party’s national efforts to the launch their local election campaign.

Also lending support to his fellow party members was Paul Kennedy, who will fly the flag for the Lib Dems when he contests the Surrey Police & Crime Commissioner election – also on 5 May.

A spokesman for the Woking Lib Dems explained that the Deputy Leader – the No2 to Tim Farron MP – was in town to ‘rally the troops’ ahead of the all-out vote.

“Baroness Parminter spoke very highly of the work done by the 100-plus Lib Dem group in the House of Lords to hold the Government to account, and of the promising election results in recent weeks which have seen several Lib Dem gains.

“Councillor Forster also spoke of the work Lib Dems have done locally as a constructive oppo-sition [to the Conservative-led Woking Borough Council].

“He set out Lib Dem priorities to provide aff-ordable homes for local families, to help small businesses drive the local economy, and to offer reduced evening car parking and a freeze on parking charges.”

The evening concluded with Surrey PCC candidate Mr Kennedy highlighting ‘issues’ surrounding the zero tolerance policy employed by current PCC Kevin Hurley – an Independent figure-head who will seek re-election next month.

Mr Kennedy set out his plan to recruit 500 special constables as part of an objective to bring back policing in the community.