Burnham and Roberts welcome Welsh Liberal Democrat Conference to Wrexham

9.00.00am GMT Fri 10th Mar 2006

Wrexham Council leader Aled Roberts and local Assembly Member Eleanor Burnham AM today welcomed the Welsh Liberal Democrat conference to Wrexham. The three days event, the highlight of the Welsh party's year, is the opportunity for members to place the building blocks of a new kind of manifesto - the first to include laws that will be made in Wales.

Mrs Burnham, North Wales Assembly Member who lives locally to Wrexham said, "This is an important conference for the party. It is right that the Welsh Liberal Democrats should come to North Wales to determine the radical platform on which we intend to fight the 2007 Assembly elections. People often complain that the Assembly is too focused on and in Cardiff. This conference confirms that North Wales is at the heart of the Welsh Liberal Democrat vision for Wales.

"I am looking forward to debating the issues that matter to people such as schools, dentistry the Welsh language and higher education. I am putting forward a motion myself on the Welsh Language which will commit this party to introducing laws that will put the Welsh language at the heart of everyday life."

Councillor Roberts, the Liberal Democrat leader of Wrexham Council will share a platform with the new Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell MP on Friday night in one of Sir Menzies first major public engagements since being elected leader.

Councillor Roberts said "I am delighted to welcome the Welsh Liberal Democrat conference to Wrexham. It is an opportunity for party members from across the country to see the outstanding facilities Wrexham has. Wrexham has a growing influence as a place to invest in and as a base for tourism in N Wales. With the new hotel and terrific transport access it is an ideal centre from which to run conventions and events.

"It is a real coup to have Sir Menzies Campbell coming to speak and I am looking forward to talking to him at conference. I know he will be impressed by Wrexham and his appearance her so soon after winning shows how committed he is in getting out of Westminster and into the country to meet and listen to people."

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