Nick Clegg congratulates Lib Dem candidate in Bedford

4.44.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Oct 2009

Commenting on the victory of Liberal Democrat Dave Hodgson in the Bedford Mayoral election, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "This is a sensational victory for Dave Hodgson and I congratulate him and the Bedford Liberal Democrats for an outstanding campaign.

"By electing Dave Hodgson as Mayor the people of Bedford have put their trust in the Liberal Democrats to work hard on their behalf.

"The fact that the Tories are losing in their South of England heartland is proof the General Election is not the foregone conclusion they think it is.

"Dave has lived in Bedford for thirty years and has built an outstanding record of action for local people. As Mayor he will work hard to keep Bedford's roads safe, cut waste and make sure that the people of Bedford get the quality local services they deserve.

"People told me and Vince Cable at our visits to Bedford that they are enthusiastic about our message for real change

"This result shows how misplaced the Conservatives' complacency about the next election really is. The Liberal Democrats have never taken a single vote for granted. With Labour lagging behind at a disastrous fifth this is yet more evidence that the real choice is now between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats."