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Clegg hires Thatcher campaign man | Clegg hires Thatcher campaign man |
(30 minutes later) | |
New Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has brought in the man who helped run the advertising campaign for Baroness Thatcher's 1987 general election win. | New Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has brought in the man who helped run the advertising campaign for Baroness Thatcher's 1987 general election win. |
John Sharkey, who is a former joint managing director of Saatchi & Saatchi UK, has been named as Mr Clegg's adviser on strategic communications. | John Sharkey, who is a former joint managing director of Saatchi & Saatchi UK, has been named as Mr Clegg's adviser on strategic communications. |
Mr Clegg has also announced he is setting up a commission to carry out a "root-and-branch" review of the party. | |
It will be led by Chris Bones, the principal of Henley Management College. | It will be led by Chris Bones, the principal of Henley Management College. |
I am determined that this root and branch review should take us towards meeting my commitment of at least doubling our number of seats within two elections Nick CleggLib Dem leader | |
The commission's remit will look at party organisation, ranging from structure to campaign capability and will take evidence from current and former staff, MPs and all four ex-party leaders. | |
Mr Clegg also announced that Chris Rennard, as in 2005, will chair the party's general election campaign. | |
Doubling target | |
Andrew Stunnell will head local election campaigns, Willie Rennie is to be chair of parliamentary campaigns and Ed Davey becomes chair of the party's campaigns and communications committee. | |
Mr Sharkey's role will be to help the party achieve Mr Clegg's goal of the Lib Dems breaking the UK's current "two-party system". | |
The ex-Saatchi & Saatchi man is honorary treasurer of the Hansard Society, non-executive chairman of airport advertising firm Ad-Air and chairman of management consultancy Sharkey Associates. | |
While at Saatchi & Saatchi he had special responsibility for the Turkish government's preparation of its case for entry into the European Union, as well as the Conservative election campaign in 1987. | |
Mr Clegg said all the appointments would help "focus our efforts away from Westminster and ensure that we are tackling the issues that people across the country care about". | |
He added: "The party reform commission is critical in ensuring that we make the best electoral impact over the coming years. | |
"I am determined that this root-and-branch review should take us towards meeting my commitment of at least doubling our number of seats within two elections." |
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