NEW CANDIDATE TO SET OUT CHALLENGES FACING LOCAL AREA

5.34.52pm GMT Thu 16th Aug 2007

The Parliamentary candidate for the new St Austell & Newquay seat, Stephen Gilbert, will set out his view of the challenges that face mid-Cornwall in his first public speech since being selected to fight the next general election by local Liberal Democrats

At a public meeting, open to anyone to attend, Mr Gilbert, a local business consultant, will be identifying the challenges facing both the constituency and the county, as well as taking questions from the audience.

The meeting is to be held at the Liberal Club on St Columb's Union Square on Wednesday 22 August from 7 to 8.30pm.

Questions from the public can either be submitted in advance by email to questions@stephengilbert.org.uk or brought along on the night.

Commenting, Mr Gilbert said:

"Whether it is pressure on housing supply or the restructuring of our traditional local industries, mid-Cornwall is going through a process of significant change at the moment. I believe that residents are interested in the challenges and opportunities that we as a community are facing and as a new candidate I think it is important for me to tell people what I think and to listen to what others have to say."