Voting starts for Welsh Lib Dem Euro candidates

11.02.55am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 26th Jun 2008

The Welsh Lib Dems will campaign to make Europe Work for people

Welsh Liberal Democrats have started voting to decide who will be their lead candidate at next year's European elections.

Ballot papers were sent out on Monday, and all party members in Wales now have a chance to state their preference. The polls close on July 7.

With Labour's vote currently in meltdown following a disastrous set of local government elections, Welsh Liberal Democrats will be the leading challengers to pick up the fourth Welsh seat currently held by Labour. A 1% swing from the Assembly election first ballot results would be enough to elect a first Welsh Lib Dem MEP.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mike German said: "There are four excellent candidates putting their names forward at this election, and members will now choose who they want to lead our campaign. This is the best chance we've had as a party to get an MEP elected in Wales, we only need a 1% swing from the Assembly election results to be able to make that Euro breakthrough."

Wales' four MEP seats are currently held by Labour (2), Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives.

The candidates are (in alphabetical order)

Alan Butt Philip

Kevin O'Connor

Jackie Radford

Nick Tregonning