All the candidates hoping to become the new member of parliament for North West Hampshire in the upcoming General Election have been confirmed.
The constituency is centred around Andover, but it also contains areas close to Newbury such as Tadley, Kingsclere, Woolton Hill, Highclere and more.
The seat is currently held by the Conservative MP Kit Malthouse.
Andy Fitchet, Labour
“I am incredibly proud to have the chance to stand again to become North West Hampshire's first Labour MP.
“North West Hampshire is my home, it is where I grew up and it has shaped who I am. I work across Andover, Whitchurch, Overton, Kingsclere and Tadley. There is not a square inch of this constituency that I do not know or do not want to see thrive.
”You know, as well as I do, the challenges we face across North West Hampshire after 14 years of Conservative government.
“Our high streets are emptying, our NHS is crumbling, our schools need improving, our neighbourhoods need proper policing, our Armed Forces need support and our rural communities have been cut off with buses slashed, libraries closed and banks disappearing.
”There is hope for a better future though. There is hope if you vote for it.
”A Labour Government led by Keir Starmer will transform our country and our communities. As your local MP, I will fight for our beautiful area to make sure we get the support we need to thrive once more.
”We can see local police in our neighbourhoods again and schools that are thriving so every child is given the opportunity to succeed.
“We can see our NHS given the doctors, nurses and equipment it needs through a new NHS workforce plan and an expansion of new technology to diagnose and treat people more quickly.
“We can see Andover's High Street renewed and our small businesses supported by scrapping business rates and bringing in a fairer system.
“We can see Whitchurch and Overton have sustainable development with housing for the next generation alongside infrastructure support.
“We can see jobs in Tadley protected as we continue to support our nuclear deterrent.
“Across our beautiful villages, we can see rural crime tackled, the opportunity for new bus routes, banking hubs so we no longer have banking deserts.
”We can get our future back, but only if you vote for it. Only I can beat the Tories in North West Hampshire.
”I ask you not just to hope for a better future, but to vote for one. In this election, you can vote for a better future with me as your MP and with a transformative Labour government.”
Luigi Gregori, Liberal Democrat
“As Lib Dems, we are committed to seeing real change locally and nationally.
“Irrespective of your views, the Conservative government has let us all down, and we are determined that we build a future where everyone can fulfil their potential regardless of background.
“We want a future where our NHS and social care services get the funding they need to meet the needs of local people.
“We want a future where we build the right homes in the right places with the right infrastructure whilst also addressing the social housing crisis.
“Finally, but not least, we want a future that is environmentally friendly with greener energy and transport, a significant reduction in plastic waste and urgent action to reduce air and water pollution.
“We have been let down again and again by our Conservative MP and Conservative-run councils and we deserve better.
“Working together with the people of North West Hampshire, we can build a better, brighter and fairer future for everyone in our communities.”
Phil Heath, Hampshire Independents
“This election is challenging for voters disillusioned with old allegiances and looking for a difference.
“Independents are local candidates with no political masters or dogmas we work with and for you alone, we are different.
“In North Hampshire more and more people vote Independent, we now control Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council working across all parties.
“With your help I hope to bring that to parliamentary elections along with nine other Independents standing in Hampshire. We can be your local champions.
“I have 20 years experience with local and national government as a Basingstoke and Hampshire councillor, police and fire authority member, specialising in planning, adult social care and housing.
“I worked in the insurance industry as a senior account director in the City of London before changing to my favourite job as a care worker for nine years before retiring.
“Living in St Mary Bourne I see the way our roads, country side pathways, drainage and rivers have been neglected, housing expanding without infrastructure support and delays to a much promised hospital. I will support local residents to challenge this neglect at local and government level.
“I want to see justice for WASPI women and their pensions, more help with the cost of living and increases in basic tax allowances.
“Independents work for you.”
Kit Malthouse, Conservative
“We live in a lovely part of England, but it isn’t like that by accident. It takes hard work, commitment and skill.
“It has been a great honour to serve as your MP for the last nine years.
“During that time, I have used my tenacity and experience in how government works to campaign for the investment and resources our area needs, with some great results.
“We achieved record investment in our local healthcare system, including £800 million to replace Basingstoke Hospital with a new build at Junction 7 of the M3, and a new medical centre and leading-edge diagnostics hub at Andover War Memorial Hospital.
“We secured more than 650 new police officers across Hampshire, as part of the government’s programme to recruit 20,000 nationally.
“Alongside that, I’ve been working closely with Hampshire Police and the British Transport Police to tackle drugs, anti-social behaviour and rural crime.
“But the foundation of success in our area, as in life, is a great education for our kids. And while I won more funding for our schools, I know that money only gets you so far.
“Our laser focus on raising standards has paid off in spades, with 87 per cent of our schools now good or outstanding, compared to just 67 per cent under Labour.
“What’s more, I’ve championed the environment and biodiversity, two of my personal obsessions.
“As housing minister, I changed the planning rules to allow more room for swifts and hedgehogs, and I have pressed for greater protection of our chalk streams.
“I’m now pushing to upgrade our stunning landscape to a National Park.
“Throughout these years, I’ve been energized by the privilege of working for you, and representing all the people of North West Hampshire.
“If you entrust me with your vote once again, I will continue on my mission to make our area the best place to live in the country, for ourselves and for generations to come.”
Andrew Meacham, Reform UK
“I was born in Kendal in 1966 and was educated to sixth form level. I then joined the Royal Navy in 1983 and started my career in marine engineering.
“In 1990 I was honourably discharged and returned to education to read mechanical engineering, graduating with a bachelor of engineering honours degree. I was recruited by BAE Systems (Marine) as a marine design engineer at the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard where I worked on Trident SSBN and Astute SSN submarine design and build projects.
”I joined BP in 2001 and started my second career in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. I worked both onshore and offshore, as an engineer and managing superintendent, in 34 countries globally on various assignments relating to energy exploration and production.
”I am a registered chartered engineer, an elected fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and now run an energy consultancy business. I am also a liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Engineers and have been awarded the freedom of the City of London.
”I have become increasingly alarmed with the calibre of political leaders that have been churned through in recent years and watching parliament become completely dysfunctional.
”We are all witnessing an ever decreasing spiral that the UK is now suffering, in just about every attribute of our society.
”I am standing for Reform UK because I have had enough of being represented by career politicians, who have little interest in putting the country first.
”If elected, I will fight hard to reverse the decline, using my knowledge of business efficiency, delivering large projects and engineering simple solutions to complex problems.
”I am convinced that Reform UK has the vision, policies, and most of all, the leadership to make Britain great again. If you are fed up too, get involved, join us, volunteer and help us campaign in North West Hampshire.”
Hina West, Green
“I am proud to be part of our thriving community and it would be an honour to represent my fellow constituents to ensure a bright, fairer and ultimately greener future for us all across North West Hampshire.
“I am standing for the Green Party as I believe there is a better future within our reach.
“Clearly the current set up is not working: the poor are getting poorer and the sick are getting sicker, all whilst the planet’s resources are being pushed beyond its boundaries.
”And these issues are clearly prevalent within our local area. Our precious chalk stream rivers are being polluted.
“Mass housing development is being rushed to the detriment of local amenities and communities, with little consideration of whether the homes will be warm, let alone if they are fit for purpose and how they will affect our beautiful Hampshire wildlife and nature.
“Climate change is creating fluctuating weather patterns, flooding roads and fields and affecting farmers’ crops. The rising cost of living is increasing the use of local food banks. The list goes on.
”The Green Party is the only voice that truly understands the full potential ahead for us, economically, environmentally and socially, offering green solutions that will improve lives of families and communities, not just quick fixes or for the benefit of a few.
”I am proud to be standing for the Green Party, and I thank all the party members for their ongoing support for me taking on this role. Vote Green to make an actual difference for us all and for future generations to come.”
