Andrew Duff prepares for Euro campaign

9.00.00am GMT Wed 29th Oct 2008

Leaders of the European Liberals gather in Stockholm today until Friday to prepare their manifesto for the European Parliament elections next year. Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat Euro MP for the East of England, is a key figure at the European Liberal congress.

In a statement, Andrew said: "European Liberal Democrats are getting ready to fight a tough campaign in June 2009. We will combat the forces of nationalism and xenophobia which are growing in most member states of the European Union, including Great Britain. Our electoral programme will propose the actions the Europe Union has to take to address the current crisis.

"The Liberal message is that only a stronger and reformed EU can tackle the insecurity of the financial markets, the problem of climate change and the threat of a more assertive Russia. The true British interest lies in a strong Europe - and not in the whingeing and isolationism we get from the Tories."