Thank You from Sarah Ludford

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th Jun 2009

A message from Sarah Ludford, who has been re-elected as an MEP for London.

"I would like to warmly thank the 240,156 Londoners who put their confidence in the Liberal Democrats which means that I have the privilege of representing London as a Member of the European Parliament again.

"I would also like to thank very sincerely everyone in London Liberal Democrats who has worked to ensure that we held our MEP seat here. In the local areas where we did a lot of work on the ground, we did very well and that bodes well for the general and borough elections.

"Obviously that is tinged with disappointment that we did not win the second seat we all hoped and laboured for and that Jonathan Fryer is so admirably well-qualified for. I would like to thank Jonathan for his huge commitment, dedication and integrity. I owe my other fellow candidates a big debt of gratitude, special mention of course going to Dinti and her work with EU voters. I am enormously appreciative of all the work by organisers, professional and voluntary, and the activists on the ground.

"Liberal Democrats did not have an easy election, being tarred with the MP expenses scandal although it was recognised by fair commentators that our MPs did not commit abuses (none in London claimed the second home allowance at all). We were thus unable to garner the protest vote that went to the parties not represented at Westminster.

"But I am very proud of the way we stuck to our message that only engagement in Europe will deliver the practical benefits our citizens need, such as boosting jobs, catching criminals and tackling climate change. Liberal Democrats are a party united in our values and goals, as shown by our long-standing championing of parliamentary and political reform once dismissed as unfashionable. Our persistent commitment to a fair and just society and world in which power is dispersed and accountable, cooperation and people cross borders and the planet and the poor are cared for will bring us increasing recognition and credit.

"I believe there is every reason to redouble my efforts, along with other Liberal Democrats, in my work on human rights, equality and social justice. We will need this effort more than ever in the face of an illiberal and unfair government at home and a swing to the right, including the racist and fascist right, across Europe."