General Election Team 2015 - A message from Paddy!

In September I was delighted to accept Nick's invitation to Chair the Party's 2015 General Election Campaign.

I have spent my first few months in this role listening to a wide range of activists, parliamentarians and staff to ensure that we are fully able to learn the lessons from 2010 and benefit from the vast campaigning experience within the Party, before embarking on the campaign ahead.

But the time for reflection is drawing to a close and the time for action imminent.

I am therefore very pleased to today be able to announce the appointment of three Vice Chairs for the Election Campaign:

• Danny Alexander
• Kirsty Williams
• Alistair Carmichael

This strong core group will work with me and our professional team at HQ - Tim Gordon (CEO), Hilary Stephenson (Director of Elections and Field), Tim Snowball (Director of Communications) and a soon to be appointed Digital Director, to lead the election planning process before us.

I am also delighted that Tim Farron has agreed to lead a national series of election workshops. These will be part of a UK-wide operation to enthuse, inspire and equip our activists with messaging that works and the latest campaigns techniques. The first of these sessions will be held in the North East on 12 January, followed by events in every nation and region over the next year.

But to succeed at the next General Election I need all of you to play your part. One opportunity for you to do just that is on Saturday 9 February 2013 when there will be a national Day of Action. The aim will be for every local party to get all its members out campaigning, telling people confidently about the tax cut we have delivered in Government and the issues we're fighting for locally.

Get involved with the Day of Action here.

Thank you to all of you for your warm welcome into this role. I look forward to your continued support and assistance as we embrace the challenge before us.

Best wishes,

Paddy Ashdown Chair, 2015 General Election Campaign

PS Many thanks to those who responded generously to my last letter asking for donations to the General Election Fund - if you didn't manage to do so then, please donate here.