Paddy Ashdown is the new president of the European Movement

I am pleased this means the former Liberal Democrat leader will be playing a prominent part in the referendum campaign.

Reuters quotes Paddy as saying:

"We are about to enter the battle of our lives to keep Britain in the European Union ... 

"The choice is between a divided Britain that retreats into isolation or a Britain which maintains the foundations on which our greatness has been built: outward-looking, engaged and playing our full part in our continent."