A WYRE Forest politician is looking forward to a crunch year for the Liberal Democrats after being re-elected to the party's national management committee.

Jock Gallagher, who lives at Ribbesford near Bewdley, said he hoped to see the party more than double its 55 Commons seats at the coming general election, expected in May.

Mr Gallagher, who is beginning a third term on the party's federal executive, said: "We have been very central in the anti-war campaign, which has proved very successful and shows we have more in touch with the country than the Government is.

"The opinion polls are steadily going up all the time, it is very encouraging in the run up to the general election and the support of the party is very strong which gives us a great amount of optimism for the general election."

He said 2005 looked like being the "most momentous year for the party. We are expecting great things".

Mr Gallagher's reappointment heralds a third year on the federal executive. He said: "Certainly you are at the very heart of the party policy making and management. If you are in politics that is always very exciting, to be where it is happening."