LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LEADER CHARLES KENNEDY VISITS SCAT IN TAUNTON

12.00.00am GMT Mon 29th Nov 2004

Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy has been given a tour of the newly finished main building at SCAT during a campaign visit to Taunton.

The Liberal Democrats are just 235 votes from victory in Taunton constituency and it is the number one General Election target seat for the party. Charles Kennedy was accompanied during his visit by Jeremy Browne, Taunton constituency Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman.

After being welcomed by college principal Alison Scott, Charles Kennedy held a Question and Answer session with students from SCAT and Taunton's Richard Huish college.

The visit to SCAT underlines the Liberal Democrat commitment to investing in education and the party's opposition to student tuition fees.

Charles Kennedy said:

"The development at SCAT is very impressive and the college is a fabulous facility for the people of Somerset. The Liberal Democrats are committed to investing in education to provide opportunities for everyone to reach their full potential. The vibrant atmosphere at SCAT is fantastic and thousands of people, across the whole age range, are clearly benefiting from the enormous range of courses provided.

"The Liberal Democrats are just 235 votes from victory in Taunton. Jeremy Browne is a hard working and talented campaigner and he is rightly earning an impressive reputation as a strong voice for people in Taunton constituency."

Jeremy Browne said:

"SCAT is going from strength to strength, and everyone in Somerset can be proud that the college is such a success story. The Liberal Democrats will continue to support local schools and colleges, and also to oppose student tuition fees, because we place such a high value on educational opportunities. Charles Kennedy enjoyed meeting so many students and staff from both SCAT and Richard Huish and saw first-hand the excellent standard of education that exists in Taunton Deane."