Pastures new for former MP David Rendel who will fight for seat in Somerset

Mr Rendel was announced as the Liberal Democrat’s prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) for the 2015 general election for Somerton and Frome, Somerset, on Saturday night, after being elected by local party members.
The seat is currently held by Liberal Democrat MP David Heath, who was elected in 2010 with a majority of 1,817 over his Conservative opposition.
Sarah Young had previously been announced as the party’s PPC for the seat in February, however stood down from the role in July.
Mr Rendel was MP for Newbury between 1993 and 2005, when he was beaten at the poll by current MP, Conservative Richard Benyon.
He was only the third non-Conservative MP for Newbury in the history of the constituency, and the first for 71 years.
In November 2012, Mr Rendel announced he would no longer stand as Newbury PPC due to the General Election’s likely clash with the four-yearly election of councillors for West Berkshire Council, and Judith Bunting was elected into the position.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Newbury Weekly News.