BOURNEMOUTH: For Suffolk peeress Ros Scott, the next few weeks will be crucial to her campaign to become president of the Liberal Democrats' federal party.

Graham Dines

BOURNEMOUTH: For Suffolk peeress Ros Scott, the next few weeks will be crucial to her campaign to become president of the Liberal Democrats' federal party.

Ros - or to give her full title Baroness Scott of Needham Market - is up against Montgomeryshire MP and Cheeky Girl groupie Lembik Opik. Nominations close on September 24, the ballot papers go out to party members in mid October, and the votes will be counted and declared on November 8.

“I have experience at all levels in the party,” says Ros, a former deputy leader of Suffolk county council and the Lib Dem spokesman on transport issues in the House of Lords. “I've a good record in grass roots activism, local government and national politics and I believe I can pull the party together in the run-up to the General Election.”

If successful, she will hold the post for two years, and it is renewable for one further period of two years. “In reality, the president is an internal party manager, similar to the role of the chairman of the Conservative Party. I believe I have the experience which is essential for the role.”

Full details of her campaign can be found on her website www.im4ros.com.

LESLEY Scott-Boutell, Liberal Democrat Colchester borough councillor for Stanway, has won the 2008 Patsy Calton award. She has overcome a number of adversities to work for her community and the good of the party- she's profoundly deaf and has just recovered from a bout of cancer.

“I was surprised and honoured to be told that I had won this award as I was unaware that I had been nominated,” says Lesley. “Like all things, this is a team effort and it gives me an opportunity to thank the people that have helped and supported me.

Colchester MP Bob Russell, paid tribute to her work. “Lesley is one of those special people, not just because she does not allow illness or disability to stop her, but she cares passionately about others. Her greatest pleasure is when she has been able to help her residents.

“To win this award against so many others of the highest calibre is testament itself of how special she is and why Colchester can be justly proud.”

The award is named for Patsy Calton, the MP for Cheadle who died in 2005. She was a wife, a mother, a teacher, an activist, a councillor, and parliamentarian and all female local activists, councillors and national politicians can be nominated for it.

“The Patsy Calton Award is seen as a brilliant way to acknowledge the fantastic contribution that she made to the Party, and the role that she had played in inspiring others,” said Mr Russell.

Lesley will receive her award today during the pre-lunch session of the Liberal Democrat conference.