Candidates give the thumbs-up to nominations

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th May 2009

Three Lib Dem candidates and Annette Brooke MP at the nomination papers submission in Wimborne

European Parliamentary candidates Graham Watson, Kay Barnard and Justine McGuinness have been nominated to stand for the Liberal Democrats in the South West.

It was announced today that the candidates are the top three selections on the party list for the South West of England & Gibraltar constituency.

Among the full list of six candidates selected are Leader of the Alliance of Liberals & Democrats for Europe (ALDE), Graham Watson, Somerset-based farmer Kay Barnard; and Jonathan Stagnetto, the only Gibraltar-based candidate standing for a major party in the constituency.

The party's full list of candidates for the South West of England & Gibraltar has been announced as:

1. Graham Watson, Leader of the ALDE group on the European Parliament

2. Kay Barnard, Director of a Somerset farm

3. Justine McGuinness, Dorset-based PR specialist & former Parliamentary candidate for West Dorset

4. Humphrey Temperley, County Councillor for Bideford South & Hartland

5. Paul Massey, Cheltenham Borough Councillor

6. Jonathan Stagnetto, Gibraltar-based Managing Director & long-serving member of the Gibraltar Liberal Party

Speaking after nomination papers were submitted, the Liberal Democrats Director of Campaigns for the South West Richard Pinnock said:

"We are delighted to have announced our candidate list for the European Parliamentary elections on 4 June 2009, and officially launched our campaign. With such a mix of strong candidates to offer voters, we believe we're the best choice for people across the South West. Whether you live in Truro or Melksham, Bristol or Frome, our candidates will do their best to secure you a good deal through the European Parliament."

"Over the last five years we've helped to secure funding for the West Country from the EU. UKIP have had years to make an impression but have failed and the Conservatives voted against the European Arrest warrant. The more Liberal Democrats we elect in the South West & Gibraltar, the more we can do for the region."

ENDS

Editors notes:

*The manifesto launch for the Liberal Democrats' European campaign for the South West of England & Gibraltar takes place in Bristol on Mon 11 May

*Picture of nomination papers submission in Wimborne, Dorset attached: From left to right - European candidates Kay Barnard, Graham Watson, Justine McGuinness & Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole.