WINCHESTER Liberal Democrats believe they can cause a shock at the General Election.

The party has a new found confidence ahead of the June 8 election, believing they can snatch Winchester and Chandler's Ford, which has been held by Conservative Steve Brine for seven years.

Their confidence has been boosted by the county council elections after they took a larger share of the votes for the Winchester divisions than the Conservatives in the seats within the parliamentary constituency.

They are also optimistic that people in Winchester will turn to the party for its stance on Europe, as 58 per cent voted for Remain in the referendum last June.

During the county council elections, there were some positive results for the Lib Dems as they took Winchester Eastgate from the Conservatives. However they also lost Winchester Downlands.

It means that they hold three of the five Winchester divisions on the county council, as Martin Tod was reelected for Winchester Westgate, and Jackie Porter increased her vote in Itchen Valley and increased her share of the vote by 22 per cent compared to 2013.

They also had a strong result in Eastleigh South which falls partially in Mr Brine's constituency, gaining 51 per cent.

The figures show that the Lib Dem candidates narrowly topped the poll across the constituency – getting 46 per cent of the vote in the seats wholly in the constituency and 45 per cent if the partial seats are included – vs. the Conservatives on 44%.

Regardless of the results in the county council elections, the Lib Dems are fully aware they have to overturn a massive 16,000+ majority achieved by Mr Brine in the last election in 2015.

Parliamentary candidate Jackie Porter said: "It's great to start our election campaign knowing that more people voted Lib Dem than voted Conservative across the Winchester constituency.

"We won the council elections because we stand up for local people and we will win on June 8, because people here want an MP who will be a strong voice for Winchester, not just tow the party line.

"The Conservative MP has completely failed Winchester. He’s failed to keep his promises to protect the local NHS and failed totally to stand up for local views on Europe. Winchester and Chandler’s Ford needs a real change.”Mr Brine said he has been busy campaigning and that he has been focused on "getting on with the job".

He told the Chronicle: "Congratulations to all councillors, including Cllr Porter and Cllr Jan Warwick, who won Winchester Downlands from the Liberal Democrats, last week.

"As I have always said, nobody owns Winchester. I have represented it for seven years because I've got on with the job and people have supported me. I am now an experienced Member of Parliament, able to be effective locally when people need my help and, as a Minister in Theresa May's team, a voice at the heart of Government.

"I am knocking doors talking to constituents all day every day and people very much get this election is about Theresa May or Jeremy Corbyn as our Prime Minister.

"As Brexit is delivered, I will continue to strike a measured tone that respects both sides of the referendum, focusing on unity over division to get on with it and make it a success for our country."

Before Mr Brine's 2010 victory the seat was comfortably held by Lib Dem MP Mark Oaten from 1997. Between 1950 and 1997 it was held by the Tories.