THE Liberal Democrats has announced its candidates for Bournemouth ahead of the general election. 

Bournemouth Liberal Democrat chair, Gill Pardy, has confirmed its candidates for Bournemouth East and Bournemouth West ahead of the upcoming general election on July 4.

The party said it hopes to remove the Conservative candidates stating 'the country needs change'. 

Jeff Hanna will stand for the LibDems in Bournemouth West, currently held by Conservative MP Sir Conor Burns.

Meanwhile, Jon Nicholas will stand for the party in Bournemouth East, against incumbent Conservative MP Tobias Elwood.

Gill said: “People have lost faith in the Conservatives. The two MPs here have been running scared for months, desperate to put out leaflets and get in the papers, and saying anything that comes into their heads to get attention.

“The real decision then is LibDem or Conservative. It’s going to be too close to call, and every vote will count.”

Although fighting in a Conservative area, Gill said Labour has also not done enough, especially in Bournemouth. 

Gill suggested the Labour party has 'imported' candidates from outside the area while both Jeff and Jon 'know the issues people face'.

She said: “We also know that Starmer has not cut through, especially in Bournemouth. Labour is not popular here. The LibDems are. Labour has even had to import their candidates from Oxford and London, as if they know anything about Bournemouth’s needs.”

“I’m delighted that our LibDem candidates, Jeff and Jon, are both local, live here with their families, are each involved with the community, and know the issues people face.

“We need their common sense in parliament. If Starmer does become Prime Minister, we need MPs who will hold him to account, not Labour yes-men, or a yes-woman, who will do exactly as they’re told.   

“Jeff and Jon are first class candidates. They will speak up for Bournemouth and we are ready for the fight. My prediction is that people here will reject Labour’s imports, and get behind Jeff and Jon.”

Jeff Hanna is an elected councillor and a member of BCP's cabinet while Jon Nicholas worked with peace organisations and charities internationally.