COLCHESTER Liberal Democrat group leader Paul Smith was one of ten local leaders from around the UK selected to meet party leader Nick Clegg.

Mr Smith was picked to speak to the Deputy Prime Minister at the party’s local government conference in Bedford, on Friday and Saturday.

Mr Smith, borough councillor for St John’s, said: “One of the things I came away with was that we need to keep opposing things like the higher tax rate.

“We would rather benefit larger sections of people rather than smaller parties of the community.

“I think voters are starting to realise we are being forced into things as part of a coalition we wouldn’t necessarily be doing solely as Liberal Democrats.”