Sunday Mercury article - I'M NO MINGER - Girls flock to the Lib Dem's page on web

7.30.00am GMT Wed 7th Mar 2007

I saw this and thought I would share it! I have joined facebook, if you are on it get in touch, if you are not have a look at it and see if you want to join at www.facebook.com

Sir Menzies Campbell has become an unlikely political pin-up with young female admirers in the Midlands. The 65 year-old Lib Dem leader hoped to connect with a new generation of future voters after signing up to student networking website Facebook.

The hugely popular site allows users to set up their own profiles and make friends with others around the country.

Sir Ming wanted to reach out to the young to debate Lib Dem policy, as well as other serious issues of the day.

But instead his site has attracted saucy comments from female students, including Holly Graham who gushed: "Ming Campbell is so hot, it's unbearable." And Emily Robey left a message for the Lib Dem boss which read: "Babe, you're so hot right now... xxx." Sir Ming was the first party leader to join Facebook, whose membership also includes Prince Harry, his girlfriend Chelsy Davy and Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty.

Users set up a profile, listing their music, TV and film favourites, as well as other interests and views.

So far, the wrinkly Lib Dem boss has attracted 590 friends, including 140 who have formed a group jokingly called Proud To Be A Minger.

They say of their hero: "Unlike Tone, Dave or Gordie, Ming is a man of integrity." Other female admirers include six girls from Cheltenham Ladies College and law student Catriona Leach, aged 20, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Sir Ming and Catriona have something in common when you examine their listed interests - both are fans of long-running radio show The Archers.

Yet the politician has less to talk about with another web pal, Rachel Wells, aged 22, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. The ancient history student is an indie rock fan while the Liberal Democrat lists Wagner and Beethoven as his favourites and Hey Mr Tambourine Man as his No 1 song.

Most Facebook members have photo albums on their sites, often featuring booze-fuelled antics. In contrast, Sir Ming has photos from meetings with political bigwigs such as Hilary Clinton.

And while many young members list drinking, smoking and pulling among their hobbies, the politician's are far more restrained - with golf named his favourite past-time.

Other leaders have been keen to take up internet experiments, with Conservative leader David Cameron using the web to boost his trendy image. His Webcameron site has become a key part of his party's plan to appeal to the elusive youth vote.

A spokesman for Sir Menzies Campbell said they were happy at the reaction to his Facebook site.

"He thought it was a good website and a good way of keeping up to date with young people," he said.