Lynne Featherstone welcomes new role in Clegg's shadow cabinet

6.01.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 20th Dec 2007

Hornsey & Wood Green MP, Lynne Featherstone, has today been appointed as Lib Dem Youth and Equalities Spokesperson in Nick Clegg's shadow cabinet.

The newly upgraded cabinet post is part of the new leader's drive to move away from the 'broken politics of Westminster' and to reconnect the party with issues of genuine concern to ordinary people.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

"Now more than ever do young people and those who face discrimination need a strong champion. I look forward to fighting for their corner on the national stage using the skills I have learnt in sticking up for the people of Hornsey & Wood Green.

"Young people are all too often forgotten in this government's priorities and sadly we have seen the results locally with gang violence on the streets of Haringey and cuts in youth services.

"More alarmingly, in spite of decades of legislation on equalities, there are still areas of our society that are deeply unequal. Men still earn more than women, a black man is still more likely to go to prison than to university and there are still countless obstacles for many who just want to be treated like anyone else.

"I can't wait to get stuck into these issues in the New Year."

Nick Clegg, newly elected leader of the Liberal Democrats added:

"Lynne is a fantastic campaigner and I am pleased to have her on board my team to fight for these important issues where Labour has seriously failed to deliver for so long.

"I have no doubt she will use the formidable skills she has gained standing up for the people of Hornsey & Wood Green to be a real champion for young people and those who face discrimination in our society."