Tribute to Paddy Ashdown

Thank you to all who have joined us in saying how sad they are at the untimely death of our former Leader, Lord Paddy Ashdown.

It was a privilege to have known Paddy. He was a frequent visitor to North Wiltshire and was the guest speaker at our 2017 Annual Dinner, just one year ago.

Paddy inspired many to join the Lib Dems. A Liberal to his core, he was a person of great integrity, courage and ‎compassion. A man who loved this country.

A former Royal Marine Officer and member of the elite Special Boat Squadron who saw active service, Paddy knew and understood the difference between true patriotism and narrow nationalism.

For Paddy patriotism was about working positively with others for the common good of all. Whereas nationalism seeks to blame others for the problems of all.

For that reason Paddy was a passionate and committed supporter of Britain remaining a member of the European Union. Paddy believed that these should be a People's Vote to decide whether the final deal is better than what we already have

He will be greatly missed but his legacy lives on in the Liberal Democrats he helped create and was so proud to lead.

If you share Paddy's values of fairness, liberty, equality of opportunity, environmentalism and internationalism then ‎come and join us.