Hampshire MEP Chris Huhne Chosen To Succeed David Chidgey MP In Eastleigh

7.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 14th Jun 2003

Hampshire MEP Chris Huhne was selected by Eastleigh Liberal Democrats on Saturday 14th June to succeed David Chidgey MP as their candidate at the next general election.

The hustings meeting in Fair Oak Village Hall, at which the five shortlisted candidates spoke to and were questioned by all local Liberal Democrats, concluded a month-long campaign in which each Eastleigh party member had a vote.

Chris Huhne is MEP for Hampshire, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament, economic spokesman of the European Liberal Democrats, and recently chaired the Lib Dems' key policy group that renewed party policy on health and education.

Chris Huhne MEP said: 'I am honoured to be selected to take forward David Chidgey's work in Eastleigh. It is always a pleasure working with David and Eastleigh Liberal Democrats as the MEP for Eastleigh, and I look forward to working for the people of Eastleigh at Westminster'.

David Chidgey MP said: 'I am delighted that the membership have overwhelmingly chosen Chris to be my successor. Chris will be a tremendous candidate and an outstanding MP for Eastleigh. I am convinced that the members have made the right choice. We have already worked closely together on Eastleigh issues and I have the highest respect for Chris's abilities.'

Cllr Keith House, leader of Eastleigh borough council, said: 'Chris has

already been an important part of our team in Eastleigh as our MEP, so we know what a good contribution he will be able to make as our MP at Westminster. He will work hard and effectively for Eastleigh people.'

Cllr Pam Holden-Brown, chairman of the Eastleigh Liberal Democrats, said: 'The high turnout - more than three quarters of all members voted either by post or in person - and the strong backing for Chris are testament to his work as Hampshire MEP. We are confident that we have selected a first rate candidate who will be a first rate MP'.

A full biography of Chris Huhne, aged 48, is available on his website at www.chrishuhnemep.org. Chris was named MEP of the year last year by the small business organisation, the Quoted Companies Alliance, for work amending EU Commission proposals that would have threatened investment and jobs. Before his election to the European Parliament, Chris built up a business providing economic advice to investors in the City of London, and had previously spent fifteen years on Fleet Street as a senior economic and financial journalist.

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