Remembering David Walter

Lib Dem Voice reports the sad news that former Lib Dem head of comms David Walter had lost his battle with cancer.

David was not just a national figure, but a stalwart of local politics too - a long term member and deliverer in North Kingston, despite being the consumate professional journalist.

The wonderful ITN archive provides hundreds of clips of David in action but this one is particularly relevant.

In 1984 Ken Livingstone and two others resigned their seats in protest at the council's abolition. Three by-elections were held which were boycotted by the Tories- but not the other parties. In addition to David's reporting the other Kingston link is the interview with the Liberal candidate - a young Steve Harris - the then leader of the Council.

Remembering David Penhaligon

Twenty five years ago today David Penhaligon was killed on his way to visit Truro postmen before they set off to deliver the Christmas mail.

His untimely death robbed the party of one of its great communicators and almost certainly a future leader. David's great skill was to to be able to argue often complex points in a down to earth way while engaging the viewer or listener with his lyrical Cornish tones. And as a result he was often underestimated by opponents and media alike.

Finding footage of him is remarkably difficult - but here is a clip from the ITN archive of his declaration in October 1974 - his was the only Liberal gain of that election.