Shirley Williams, one of the key political figures in the history of the Liberal Democrat party, praised Norman Lamb at the launch of his election campaign last night.
The Lib-Dem peer was speaking in Sheringham's new community centre, supporting Mr Lamb's bid for the North Norfolk parliamentary seat.
Baroness Williams is a former Labour Education Secretary and one of the Gang of Four who founded the Social Democratic Party.
She described Care Minister Mr Lamb, who served as North Norfolk's MP from 2001 until parliament was dissolved last month, as 'one of the finest MPs and ministers I have ever met in my long political life.'
Commenting afterwards, Mr Lamb said: 'Shirley Williams has been an incredible and towering figure in British politics for a generation, and I was privileged that she travelled to north Norfolk last night to launch my campaign.
She has played a key role in championing the rights of those in Britain, and across the world, who do not have a voice, challenging prejudice, and working to give every child a fair start in life.'
Baroness Williams was a key figure in inspiring Mr Lamb to enter politics after he met her in his early 20s during a year working as a researcher in parliament.
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