The Liberal Democrats chose a local councillor on Saturday to fight the Eastleigh by-election in what is set to be a close and bitter struggle with their Conservative coalition partners.
Mike Thornton, a parish and borough councillor since 2007, was selected at a hustings in the constituency tonight.
He will be up against Tory candidate Maria Hutchings, a staunch eurosceptic and opponent of David Cameron's gay marriage reforms which have split the party. She previously stood against Huhne in 2010, losing out by 3,864 votes.
On Saturday evening, the leader of Eastleigh Council, Keith House emailed party members to announce Thornton's selection and appealing for support against "the right wing Tory".
"It's only 19 days until the election - and we need to make more phone calls to stop the right wing Tory winning," he said.
"I've known Mike for more than five years. He's proved himself to be a hard working and effective local parish and borough councillor. He will be a strong MP for Eastleigh residents and a valuable member of the Lib Dem parliamentary team.
"We've had over 100 helpers today in Eastleigh, but Tories are fighting hard and are spending a lot of money too."
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There was some excitement in Labour circles today as the author and broadcaster John O'Farrell announced that he was going to put himself forward to be the party's candidate in the by-election.
In a move which some supporters thought would significantly improve Labour's chances of competing with the Tories and Lib Dems for the seat, O'Farrell took to Twitter to declare his interest in running.
He added: "Sincerely believe Labour could actually win in Eastleigh. All those people who voted Lib Dem tactically last time did so to keep Cameron out."
Labour is expected to select its candidate on Tuesday.
Polling carried out by Tory former treasurer Lord Ashcroft in the wake of Huhne's dramatic guilty plea to dodging speeding points gave Conservatives a three-point lead.
The survey put the Tories on 34% and Lib Dems on 31% - down five and 19 respectively on their 2010 showings.
Labour were on 19% and the UK Independence Party on 13%.
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Eastleigh by-election
UKIP leader Nigel Farage speaks with a market trader in Eastleigh, Hampshire ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
UKIP leader Nigel Farage in Eastleigh, Hampshire ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
UKIP leader Nigel Farage in Eastleigh, Hampshire ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
UKIP leader Nigel Farage speaks to supporters in Eastleigh, Hampshire ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
UKIP leader Nigel Farage campaigns in Eastleigh, Hampshire ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
UKIP leader Nigel Farage campaigns in Eastleigh, Hampshire ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
Labour's John Denham (centre), MP for neighbouring constituency Southampton Itchen, campaigning in Eastleigh, Hampshire, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
Labour's John Denham (left), MP for neighbouring constituency Southampton Itchen, campaigning in Eastleigh, Hampshire, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
Labour's John Denham, MP for neighbouring constituency Southampton Itchen, campaigning in Eastleigh, Hampshire, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
UKIP leader Nigel Farage campaigning in Eastleigh, Hampshire, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
A general view of a sign in Eastleigh, Hampshire, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 9, 2013. Voters in Eastleigh go to the polls on February 28 in what promises to be the most closely and bitterly fought by-election since the Coalition took power. See PA story POLITICS Eastleigh. Photo credit should read: Chris Ison/PA Wire
Eastleigh by-election
UKIP leader Nigel Farage campaigning in Eastleigh, Hampshire, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
A general view of Eastleigh, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 9, 2013. Voters in Eastleigh go to the polls on February 28 in what promises to be the most closely and bitterly fought by-election since the Coalition took power. See PA story POLITICS Eastleigh. Photo credit should read: Chris Ison/PA Wire
Eastleigh by-election
A woman checks the odds in a book-maker's window in Eastleigh, Hampshire, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
A general view of central Eastleigh, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 9, 2013. Voters in Eastleigh go to the polls on February 28 in what promises to be the most closely and bitterly fought by-election since the Coalition took power. See PA story POLITICS Eastleigh. Photo credit should read: Chris Ison/PA Wire
Eastleigh by-election
A general view of the railway yard in central Eastleigh, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
A general view of central Eastleigh, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.
Eastleigh by-election
A train passes a sign welcoming drivers to Eastleigh, ahead of a by-election caused by former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne's resignation after he admitted perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday February 9, 2013. Voters in Eastleigh go to the polls on February 28 in what promises to be the most closely and bitterly fought by-election since the Coalition took power. See PA story POLITICS Eastleigh. Photo credit should read: Chris Ison/PA Wire
The Liberal Democrats chose a local councillor on Saturday to fight the Eastleigh by-election in what is set to be a close and bitter struggle with their Conservative coalition partners.
Mike Thorn...
The Liberal Democrats chose a local councillor on Saturday to fight the Eastleigh by-election in what is set to be a close and bitter struggle with their Conservative coalition partners.
Mike Thorn...
does anyone know the economic conditions in eastleigh if its like the rest of england and they still vote for one of the stooge parties there is no hope for this country why on earth would they vote for bounders theives rogues opportunists uncaring trollops
tomthames: does anyone know the economic conditions in eastleigh if its
The guy in the penguine suit from the last by election has accepted Toxic Nicks word that he will defend to his utmost the rights of penguins to represent the non dems in all future elections and will therefore stand for the non dems boosting there chances by 100 per cent.
Gerry7944: The guy in the penguine suit from the last by
The electorate in Eastleigh must be nuts if they do not elect a UKIP MP to represent them and lead the way for the rest of us. They are the only Party who at this moment in time in step with public opinion on the EU, migration matters and NHS. Labour who might be perceived to be the default choice have at this moment in time no real policies lined up as their Leader simply sidetracks when asked his policy by stating it is too early to commit to one etc etc.. He has done it numerous times on TV during interview. So Eastleigh give them a drubbing they deserve
Marcus11: The electorate in Eastleigh must be nuts if they do
Braintree2
What a poison little pen pereson you are! Sadly your post has been wiped but I got a copy by email - ref your 'chicken' jibe about Nigel Farage - you can give it, but you can't take it! No I can't spell, it's called Dyslexia and I've lived with it for years - and with people like you who find people like me very funny. Glad I gave you a laugh! Yes, I believe in Ukip and I'll continue to back it in spite of people like you who believe in nothing but tearing things and people down.
mickthepoet: Braintree2 What a poison little pen pereson you are! Sadly
Mrs. Farage's little boy is not daft - he knows he would have to stand down as MEP in order to stand as a candidate for the isolationists in Eastleigh.
Nigel isn't daft - he knows he hasn't got the foggiest chance of winning, so he's opened another box of isolationists and selected a candidate - who will lose.
Mind you, he is daft enough to think that the electorate of Eastleigh are dim enough to vote for his isolationist friend in any significant numbers..
The only votes the isolationists will gather are disaffected tories, and will either leave the field open to the LDs (very strong in that constituency, by the way) or even allow Labour to pick up evough additional vote to make it a contest...
Interesting times, but not the remotest possiblility of Nigel's isolationist friend gaining meaninful employment in Westminster any time soon..
rabidrightwatch: Mrs. Farage's little boy is not daft - he knows
They think that because they have a few seats on the council they will use the local loyalty vote.
Nick it is you and your party which are pants no matter who you try to weasle into this seat they are going to be decimated unless the people of Eastleigh have been living on a diffrent planet or you have promised them something?.Now there's a thought.
Another apology after the election Nick when you break that one as well.
Gerry7944: They think that because they have a few seats on
Come on Eastleigh voters.Time to use your vote wisely getting us(the downtrodden voter) a voice!Give the 3 main parties(that love to lie & line their pockets) something to think about?Lets give UKIP a chance to work for our own,lets see if they can make charity begin at home----VOTE -----UKIP.
anderoo: Come on Eastleigh voters.Time to use your vote wisely getting
...Oh the electorate of Eastleigh will vote wisely all right... and that means not voting for the United Kingdom Isolationist Party...
The voters of Eastleigh aren't daft...
Nigel's brigade will pick up votes, that's clear, and likely to draw their votes from disaffected tories; very unlikely to pick up disaffected LDs and absolutely no chance of attracting Labour voters either...
You may even see the tories with less percentage, the isolationists with marginally more, the LDs will probably increase marginally, which leaves one party to pick up the rest - Labour...
Nigel might be doing the area a favour, after all...
rabidrightwatch: ...Oh the electorate of Eastleigh will vote wisely all right...
Any one But the same old Punch and Judy politics of Labour and Tory, Please Please Voters of Eastleigh give the establishment a very good Kicking, vote none mainstream.. remember Bradford a dead cert win for Labour? Respect came from nothing and won, Bradford Football Team had best season in 96 years..You have the poweer to make a difference, Vote for real change.. The Country needs you.
raymondwoolford: Any one But the same old Punch and Judy politics
I want Ukip to destroy the Tory vote, but in reality with Cameron pretending to give you a vote on Europe your the next best thing for this Tory lot, you will always vote with your own and it guarantees Cameron the same majority he has now. The only way out of this mess is to vote Labour.
jack147hains: I want Ukip to destroy the Tory vote, but in
After 13 years of corruption,expense fiddling and nest feathering I would strongly advocate that as Labour got us into the mess we are in,we give them a wide berth. Although I respect your point of view ,I would rather give UKIP a chance to prove themselves.
Norman_Mitchison: After 13 years of corruption,expense fiddling and nest feathering I
lib-dem's an tory's have no chance of winning the seat after all they have done to the people of this country.with the cut back's and lie's from them.vote u-kip and make all of them lose there deposit's.
dave1965: lib-dem's an tory's have no chance of winning the seat
dave'..I think if it's very big turn-out it could be very bad news for the Cons and the Libs'..As to who'll benefit the most though I'm not sure?..After all' if people turn-out for this by-election who wouldn't normally bother'..The result could be very interesting indeed'..esp if the electorate want to punish the coalition'..What a golden opportunity eh?
casual_agent: dave'..I think if it's very big turn-out it could be
Unfortunately that is not true. UKIP will come 4th behind Labour. Cameron took the jam out of UKIPs doughnut by announcing a referendum. Which will never take place because the Tories will lose the Election.
rtreefella: Unfortunately that is not true. UKIP will come 4th behind
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PA/Huffington Post UK | Posted: 09/02/2013 20:47 GMT | Updated: 09/02/2013 21:01 GMT