THE rise of the Liberal Democrats across the South West has been hailed by the widow of the late Lib Dem leader, Paddy Ashdown.

Nearly all of Somerset, bar Bridgwater, turned to the Lib Dems in the general election – and Lady Jane Ashdown says she can’t “wipe the grin” off her face following the result.

“It means everything,” she said. “I just wish Paddy was here to see it and to celebrate.

“He would have been especially thrilled to see two Lib Dems elected locally, Adam [Dance] in Yeovil and Sarah [Dyke] in Glastonbury and Somerton.

“But his interest was in the whole party.  He would be gobsmacked at the national result – just speechless, which didn’t happen very often.”

Mr Dance proved to be popular in Yeovil, securing the seat with a majority of more than 12,000 votes and Ms Dyke secured her seat in Glastonbury and Somerton with a 6,000+ majority.

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Lady Ashdown said: “Paddy would have been so proud of Ed (Davey) who was part of his original office team in the 1990s.

Lady Ashdown with David Laws and Adam Dance at the launch in October Picture: Yeovil Liberal Democrats

“He would have greatly admired the energy Ed has put into the campaign and the attention to the issues he has received by doing all those incredible things on the campaign trail.

“Paddy used to say that if you want someone to listen to you, you’ve got to make sure that they know that you are listening to them.

“Ed has done that through the campaign and has carried the party and voters with him.”

Lady Ashdown has been a long-term supporter of Adam Dance MP for Yeovil, and was present at the launch of his campaign with Nick Clegg last October.

Mr Dance, who first became involved in politics through the interest of both Paddy and David Laws when he was campaigning to save his local youth club at the age of 16, said: “Paddy, and now Jane, have always been ready to provide guidance and encouragement as my political career has evolved.

“In fact it was Paddy who first passed me the approval papers to stand as a Liberal Democrat candidate.

“I owe a lot to both Jane and Paddy, and I plan to be an approachable and community MP just as Paddy was.”

Adam Dance will be at the Market Square in Ilminster this coming Saturday (July 20) from 10am until 12pm.  Mr Dance is inviting residents of the area to come and chat with him informally and to raise any concerns they may have.