Lib Dems change Deputy Leader

5.30.22pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th May 2003

Councillor Stephen Knight

Teddington Councillor, Stephen Knight, has been elected as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group in succession to Whitton Councillor, Gina MacKinney.

He was elected for Teddington Ward in 1998. Following the election in May 2002, he became the Opposition Spokesperson for Strategy and Finance, the portfolio he retains. In the previous Liberal Democrat administration he was Executive Member for Education.

He is a Governor of St Mary's and St Peter's Primary School and a member of Heatham House Youth Centre's advisory committee.

He has lived in the Borough since 1981 and went to Teddington School and Richmond upon Thames College, before studying at Oxford and Southampton Universities.

After graduating from Southampton in 1992, he spent a year as the full-time President of the Students' Union. He now work for the Association of London Government, as a political adviser.

Speaking after his election, Cllr Serge Lourie, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition said:

"I am delighted that Stephen has been elected as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group. He will bring drive and intelligence to our drive to be reelected to run the Council. He has had a very successful year which has included exposing the Tories for their unnecessary council tax increase of 15.6%."

"I should also like to pay tribute to Gina MacKinney for all the work she has done as Deputy Leader, first of the Council and then of the Liberal Democrat Opposition since 1999. She will be a hard act to follow. I am delighted that she will be continuing as spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats."

Said Cllr Gina MacKinney: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Deputy Leader and wish the new team of Serge and Stephen well. I will be doing what I can to ensure the re-election of two Liberal Democrat MPs, Dee Doocey as the GLA member next year and a Liberal Democrat administration in 2006"

"Councillor Stephen Knight added; "I am delighted to be taking on this new role in support of our Leader Serge Lourie. The Liberal Democrat Group is determined to renew itself and to win back the support of the community over the next three years and to regain control of the Council in 2006.

In the meantime we will continue to speak up for those in the community whose interests are being neglected by the Tory Council."

"Note for editors"

"Gina MacKinney was first elected for Whitton Ward in 1990 joining her husband Keith as a Council Member."

"She has been Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition since May 2002. She was Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance, Best Value and Major Projects following the reorganisation of the Council in May 2001. She chaired Leisure Services Committee from 1996-99. During her years on the Council she also served on the Education, Policy and Resources and Strategy Committees. She was Mayoress in 1991/2 and Mayor in her own right in 1993/4