Following being nominated by her local party the Chairman of South Northamptonshire Liberal Democrats has won a national award at the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton for her work in helping Liberal Democrats in South Northamptonshire win four council seat in 18 months, including a massive 32% swing against the Conservative administration to win the Towcester Division on the County Council in a double by-election in February 2012

The Patsy Calton Award is given annually and aims to celebrate female activism at all levels within the Liberal Democrats from MEP’s, MP’s, PPC’s, AM’s. MSP’s to councillors and activists.

It celebrates people within the party who are an inspiration to others and whose achievements deserve to be rewarded. It is also given for those who encourage other women to become involved in politics in some way.

The award is given in memory of Patsy Calton who died of breast cancer in May 2005 just after she was re-elected MP for Cheadle. Her determination to continue with her election campaign and to represent her constituents in spite of suffering fairly advanced cancer inspired Annette Brooke MP (Mid Dorset and North Poole), Sue Doughty (former MP for Guildford), and Lorely Burt (MP for Solihull) to initiate the award in memory of their colleague as an inspiration to other Liberal Democrat women in politics.

Chairman of South Northants Lib Dems, Jane Hollis, said “It’s nice to be recognised for my work in South Northants but this is recognition for the whole team in South Northants who have worked tirelessly to achieve great things over the last 2 years. We fought a strong campaign based on local issues like the Moat Lane redevelopment, the Conservative street light switch off, and the amazing attitude of the Conservatives to taxpayers’ cash, best typified by the oil painting of the former chairman costing £3180. A lot of hard work went in to the election, and has continued since to provide Towcester’s residents with a strong voice.”

Jill Hope, local activist and current Parliamentary Candidate for Corby and East Northants, who nominated Jane for the award commented “Jane has worked really hard to build the profile of the Lib Dems in South Northants, a tory stronghold. If we can win here we can win anywhere as long as we have people like Jane. This award is well deserved.”

Cllr Chris Lofts, elected in the by-election, said “It’s great to see Jane recognised for all the work she has put into helping the local party at all levels. Our successes over the last couple of years have been greatly helped in having Jane at the helm. Certainly the work she has driven forward in supporting candidates has made a real difference when it came to elections and has helped deliver real results for the people of Towcester and will do likewise elsewhere in time across South Northamptonshire.”

Scott Collins, Parliamentary Spokesman for South Northants Lib Dems said “Jane has been a Lib Dem stalwart for many years and this award is well deserved for her years of service to the party but especially in the last few years where her involvement and leadership of the local party has delivered real success for the party. This again shows the Liberal Democrats are on the up in South Northants. We will, with Jane at the helm, continue to fight the Conservatives hard and deliver real action for local people. I am delighted that the national Liberal Democrats have recognised the efforts of Jane and the South Northants Lib Dem team.”

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