IT is with great interest that I noted the Liberal Democrats had selected Angelika Schneider to stand as their candidate in the next European elections.

Ms Schneider hopes to replace current MEP Fiona Hall, who is standing down. It is rather ironic that the Liberal Democrats have made this choice, given that Ms.

Schneider is a German national who currently resides outside of the UK.

In past local elections the Liberal Democrats have campaigned negatively against candidates from other parties living a few miles outside of the area they want to represent.

In this case, the words double standards spring to mind.

I do strongly believe that our elected representatives should be able to put forward the views and interests of the area they represent and to do this, they need to live within it.

Any future promises of candidates moving nearer to the election time, or following a successful result, do not go any way towards reassuring me.

Is this really the best the party has to offer?

If so, I believe the people of the North-East deserve much better and will vote accordingly.

This bizarre decision by the Liberal Democrat party will undo the years of hard work from the current Liberal Democrat MEP and they will lose the support and votes of people like myself in this, and other, elections.

G Williams, Chester-le-Street.