Huhne Welcomes Election and Sets Out Three Key Themes for Eastleigh

3.36.12pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 5th Apr 2005

Hampshire MEP and Eastleigh parliamentary candidate Chris Huhne welcomed the announcement of the general election as an opportunity to restore trust in the political system after the disillusion surrounding the Iraq war.

Mr Huhne said that Eastleigh would particularly benefit from the Liberal Democrats' stress on better schools and hospitals. "We will argue positively for smaller class sizes and better funding for local hospitals and health services, which are facing a funding crisis as money is funnelled north to Labour's heartlands. The cuts at The Mount and ward closures at Winchester and Southampton mean that the health service must be centre stage.

"Labour is not looking after our health services in the South, and the Tory alternative will only provide better health care for people who can afford to pay half the cost themselves by going private. Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to world-class health care for anyone who needs it here in Hampshire".

Mr Huhne said a second key theme would be the threat to Eastleigh of big council tax increases as property revaluations take effect. Local property prices had gone up much faster than the national average - 209 per cent against 160 per cent - and that meant most local households would face a 22 per cent increase in council tax as their homes were upgraded by a band. "Only the Liberal Democrats propose to scrap the council tax altogether and replace it with a local income tax related to ability to pay, which makes most sense for Eastleigh".

A third theme would be the need for a local candidate with a track record of experience fighting for Eastleigh people. "I am the only candidate in this election who has not just been elected to serve Eastleigh, but re-elected with a thumping 134 per cent increase in my Eastleigh vote" said Mr Huhne who has to stand down as Hampshire euro-MP if he is elected.

"In my experience, Eastleigh people are more impressed by action, not talk" said Mr Huhne. "With the unfairness of local health funding, Eastleigh needs someone who can fight for us at Westminster".