Tories ready for Lib Dem challenge in Mid Dorset and North Poole

At today’s YourElection15 hustings event, Conservative candidate Michael Tomlinson told us that he is ready to take on the Liberal Democrats in an attempt to gain back the Mid Dorset and North Poole seat that has been under the Lib Dems since 200. “It’s a challenge that I’m up for and I’m very much enjoying,” he said.

Lib Dem candidate Vikki Slade being interviewed before today’s hustings event.

Speaking from Canford Heath, Lib Dem candidate Vikki Slade said: “It is absolutely critical [that] we don’t allow the whole of Dorset to turn blue.”

“It’s still really important that we make sure somewhere in Dorset the views of the people who are not at the top of the tree are being represented,” she added.

Mid Dorset and North Poole has been represented by current MP Annette Brooke for 14 years. She announced her retirement in March 2013 and has been awarded an OBE for her public and political services.

Mrs Slade praised the work of her successor calling her an “incredible custodian”, and stressed that the people of Mid Dorset and North Poole needed “someone who is open, tolerant, fair and someone who makes sure that while we fix the economy, we’re not doing it off the backs of the poor, the elderly, the sick or the young.”

Whilst it won’t be Miliband or Cameron on the ballot paper in this constituency, Tory candidate Michael Tomlinson was adamant that this election would not be a two horse race: “The people I speak to want to make up their own minds and of course they’ll be entitled to do that at the ballot box on the 7th of May.”

Mr Tomlinson spoke briefly in response to UKIP’s stance on immigration and the European Union, pausing to remind everyone that “the only way of securing a referendum is by the Conservative Party getting into power.”

All of today’s coverage of the YourElection15 hustings event is available on our website.