MEET the woman who could potentially be your new MP – at least that would be the case if the Liberal Democrats got their way.

Cllr Paula Ferguson, who was elected to represent St Bartholomew when the party took control of Winchester City Council in May’s election, has now been selected as their parliamentary candidate for the Winchester and Chandler’s Ford constituency.

Ms Ferguson, who has lived in Winchester with her family for 20 years, works as a psychologist in education, following previous jobs in banking and management consultancy.

She will be likely face current Conservative MP Steve Brine for the role at the next election, which is currently scheduled to take place on May 5 2022.

Commenting on the announcement, Ms Ferguson said: “I’m standing to become the next Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford because enough is enough.

“If we’re going to stop Brexit, tackle the climate emergency, reverse the woeful decline in public services, build a sustainable economy and tackle creeping inequality, then we need different politicians in Parliament.

“I joined the Liberal Democrats after the European Referendum. The plans for Brexit – especially a no-deal Brexit – will be disastrous for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford and for the country – and I intend to do my utmost to stop them.

“I’ve also worked as a volunteer at a food bank for a number of years and seen first-hand the damage the Conservatives are doing to the basic fabric of society.

“We urgently need a change.”

The constituency is a top target for the Liberal Democrats following recent electoral successes. However, if she is to become MP, she will need to overturn Mr Brine’s majority of 9,999.

Mr Brine has been the constituency’s MP since 2010, when he took over from retiring Lib Dem Mark Oaten.

In that election, Mr Brine beat Lib Dem candidate Martin Tod by more than 3,000 votes.