LIBDEM PARTY PRESIDENT DROPS IN TO MALVERN TO RECEIVE RALLY PETITIONS

5.34.11pm GMT Tue 13th Mar 2007

Liberal Democrat Party President, Simon Hughes MP dropped in to Malvern last Sunday to receive hundreds of petitions collected at Saturday's NHS Rally. The petition calls on the Secretary of State, Patricia Hewitt to free NHS Trusts from Whitehall control and allow them to provide a local lead in deciding health priorities for Worcestershire.

Mr Hughes received the petitions from Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt along with Liberal Democrat colleagues who helped collect them. The LibDem President will present the petitions to the Secretary of State in Westminster.

"I am delighted to be able to add the voices of petitioners in West Worcestershire to a nationwide cry for more democratic accountability and local determination of health priorities. Too much money is being wasted through mismanagement of the NHS from Whitehall, and it is the Trusts that are picking up the bill," said Simon Hughes.

"Simon had been to a family christening in Hereford and we were delighted that he was able to drop by on his way back to London and receive our petitions. It was a real boost for those who had worked so hard collecting signatures to receive thanks from the President for their efforts," said Richard Burt