Tom McCann joined candidates for Andover town council campaigning at yesterday’s Saturday market. Shoppers were overwhelmingly in favour of a town (parish) council for Andover and strongly supported the Lib Dem stance on and program for the new council.

Many residents expressed dismay at the fact that local Tory and County councillors were seeking election to the town council. “These (Tory) councillors have already let Andover down by selling off our Guildhall and destroying the bandstand” one man said. “We need new councillors to represent the town not the same people filling all the new jobs.”

Andover Lib Dems have nominated 19 candidates for the new council; of these just 2 are existing councillors. The 19 Tory candidates already hold between them 12 council seats and 3 of their candidates don’t even live in Andover. Andover Labour party have not nominated candidates although some of Labour party members, including their parliamentary candidate, are standing under the “non-political” Campaign for an Andover Town Council banner.

Responding to the positive reception they received Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Tom McCann said “Andover is ready for real change. People are tired of the old politics and of their complacent and out of touch Tory representatives. Only the Liberal Democrats offer that change: change that will work – for Andover.

As far as the general election is concerned our canvassing confirms previous polls that the battle in North West Hampshire remains one between Tom and the sitting Tory MP. Support for the other two candidates, UKIP and Labour, is minimal and collapsing as the campaign continues.