Gloves off in political battle for North West Hampshire

Five candidates among line-up

The gloves are off in the battle for the Parliamentary seat of North West Hampshire, after all the candidates were declared late yesterday afternoon (Thursday).

Election fever is mounting, after five candidates were declared, all hoping to step into the mighty political shoes of Conservative, Sir George Young, who stood down last month from the Parliamentary seat he was first elected to in 1997.

The Conservatives are fielding Kit Malthouse, who stepped down from his role as deputy mayor of London on March 6 to contest the seat. A director of County Finance Group, he divides his time between homes in Abbotts Ann and London.

The Lib Dem candidate, barrister Alex Payton, lives in Newbury and is a former mayor of Thatcham and also a Newbury town councillor.

Labour's candidate is Andrew Adams, aged 32, who lives in Micheldever, where he is a parish councillor. Mr Adams has also contested a number of wards on Winchester City Council.

The Green Party's Dan Hill, aged 32, who was born in Winchester and lives in Andover, is a master data manager for a legal information solutions company in Andover.

The UKIP candidate is Sue Perkins, a farmer's daughter and former teacher, with degrees in economics and maths and who lives in Yateley and is also a former Army captain.

Mrs Perkins replaces UKIP's former prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC), Diane James, who pulled out of the political race last month, citing personal reasons.

For an update on how the political campaign is gearing up for the above five candidates, pick up a copy of the Newbury Weekly News on Thursday and turn to the Hampshire pages.