Russell selected to fight seat again

12.00.00am GMT Tue 14th Nov 2006

Colchester Liberal Democrats have unanimously chosen the town's MP Bob Russell to be their Party's candidate at the next General Election even though it could be more than three years away.

The early selection is an indication of how important the Liberal Democrats regard the Colchester Parliamentary seat which he first won at the 1997 General Election.

Mr Russell was re-elected with increased majorities at both the 2001 and 2005 General Elections - last year he polled 21,145 votes to secure a majority of 6,277, his majority more than trebled from when he was first elected.

For every one of the nine years he has been Colchester's MP Mr Russell has registered the best voting attendance record of any Opposition MP in Britain.

He serves on the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee and is currently a member of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Defence team. He is also a Party Whip.