Liberal Democrats Winning Winchester - new parliamentary candidate chosen

5.03.48pm GMT Mon 4th Dec 2006

On Saturday 2nd December the Winchester Liberal Democrats selected Martin Tod to be their parliamentary candidate for Winchester at the next General Election, the seat currently held by Mark Oaten MP.

Welcoming the announcement, Chris Rennard, Chief Executive of the Liberal Democrats said:

Martin Tod

"I am delighted that Martin Tod has been chosen. Martin is a superb choice and will be a very strong local champion for all the communities that will comprise the new Winchester constituency.

"The new seat will again be a battle between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives, with Labour out of the running. With this choice, we are confident that we can win the new seat."

Martin Tod, the new Winchester parliamentary candidate, said:

"My first priority is to listen to local people and work with Mark Oaten, Sandra Gidley and the local Lib Dem team to stand up for local people on the City Council, County Council and in Parliament.

Mr Oaten said: "I called Martin after the count to congratulate him.

"We both worked together as Hampshire candidates before the last election.

"I am very very pleased he has been selected and I look forward to working with him."

Martin Tod went on to outline his first areas that he and the local Lib Dem team will tackle, "An immediate concern is local hospital services. It's essential that they are protected.

"We also need to hold the Conservatives to account. It's appalling that failings in Conservative-run Social Services on the County Council contributed to the County Hospital missing the national target on 'delayed transfers of care'.

"I've already been working with Winchester Liberal Democrats on the 'Trip to the Shops' campaign (www.triptotheshops.com)to improve the quality of Winchester's streets. We will also be campaigning for fairer and greener taxes, to scrap tuition fees, increase the number of 20mph zones and to abolish the unfair council tax."

Retiring Chair of Winchester Liberal Democrats, Harvey Cole said:

"The members of Winchester Lib Dems look forward to working with Martin Tod. He has emerged from what has proved to be a very strong competition and we are excited at the prospect of working with him."

Mark Oaten has held the seat since 1997 and the Liberal Democrats have also been successful in a number of recent council by-elections.