Opposition Leader William Hague was the guest speaker at the Newspaper Society’s annual lunch at the London Hilton, on Park Lane, today.

He was addressing nearly 300 regional newspaper publishers, editors and their guests at the event, which was taking place during Local Newspaper Week (1-7 May) and on the day of the local and mayoral elections.

Mr Hague has written a special article in support of Local Newspaper Week, which has been sent to all regional and local newspapers for publication during this week. He writes about the current renaissance in the regional press, remarking that “more and more people are turning back to their local papers.

“Local newspapers are helping to give people back their sense of community. They provide a familiar, guiding hand through the maze of media choices and out into the real world. Local papers are trusted and believed, more than any other medium – probably because they are so close to their communities and so accountable to them.

“A local newspaper is the heartbeat of its community, reflecting the needs and values and aspirations of the people living there. I believe the current growth in strong, campaiging and effective local newspapers reflects a resurgence in strong, healthy communities.”

To read Mr Hague’s article in full click here

Today’s lunch was being hosted by the Newspaper Society’s president James Evans.

The guest speaker at last year’s Annual Lunch was the Prime Minister Tony Blair. Previous speakers have included the Prince of Wales, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, John Major – when he was Prime Minister – and Tony Blair – when he was Leader of the Opposition.

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