Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader launched his campaign outside Kingsholm Stadium today, in front of a crowd of party members and campaign activists:

It seems as if it were only yesterday that I was stood in front of you all in the last election.

And after a tumultuous term, we’re here again. My beloved constituency of Gloucestershire & Wiltshire is voting in another general election, and one of the most important elections in recent memory.

Throughout this campaign I will aim to convince the people of these great counties that the Liberal Democrats will provide the most faithful, loyal and imaginative representation possible. As you have all seen throughout this term, while we were in official opposition, we are prepared to defend the interests of the British people vigorously and fiercely. We won’t lie down and allow Tory zealots to steamroller our country into oblivion. We won’t lie down and allow the arrogance of the Tory and Labour parties to plunge our country into a post-political malaise. We won’t lie down and pretend that this country doesn’t want creative liberal solutions.

I will talk about our plans for the economy, and how we can build on the liberal-inspired budget we were instrumental in passing.

I will talk about overhauling our transport system, and driving Britain into the modern age.

I will talk about how we’re going to overhaul education.

I will talk about why we need to have a people’s vote on the subject of brexit, and why the Tories and Labour were extraordinarily short-sighted in denying it.

And I will talk about how the Liberal Democrats are the best party to represent Gloucestershire & Wiltshire.