MEON Valley Liberal Democrats selected Liz Leffman to be their prospective parliamentary candidate at a packed hustings meeting in Wickham on Friday evening, .

The new candidate told party members: "Meon Valley is a new constituency, and my first priority will be to represent the interests of everybody who lives here. Right across the new constituency, people have been badly let down by the ruling Conservatives on the county council. Bus services have been cut, adult social services have been threatened, and roads and drains are poorly maintained, leading to regular flooding. I will be campaigning to ensure that the interests of local people are heard and responded to.

"There are plans for the building of thousands of new homes in Meon Valley, and I will be holding the county council to account over this, and in particular over the provision of necessary services and infrastructure.

"I look forward very much to working with Martin Tod, the recently selected prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) for Winchester to ensure that the interests of those in both our constituencies and who live in the area covered by Winchester City Council are properly represented."

Liz Leffman was the Liberal Democrat candidate in Witney at the last general election, standing against David Cameron. The Liberal Democrat vote was increased by 25 per cent, and the Liberal Democrats came second for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Liz Leffman and her husband Mike Flanagan are the owners and directors of Clothesource. The company advises clients worldwide on the global trade in clothing and textiles.