Liberal Democrats announce full slate of candidates to stand up for the New Forest in delayed Hampshire County Council elections
The Liberal Democrats have confirmed that they will be fielding a full team of 10 candidates across the New Forest in May’s delayed Hampshire County Council elections.
The elections, originally due in May 2025, were postponed by the Conservatives as they decided to prioritise local government reorganisation instead of giving residents their democratic say.
The Liberal Democrats will be campaigning on their clear message of “standing up for the New Forest”, with a focus on protecting vital services such as social care, roads, and public transport – issues that matter most to local people.
The candidates selected are:
• Brockenhurst – Hannah Phillips
• Dibden and Hythe – Malcolm Wade
• Lymington and Boldre – Jack Davies
• Lyndhurst and Fordingbridge – David Millar
• New Milton – Wyn Davies
• New Milton North, Milford and Hordle – Aidan Reed
• Ringwood – Luke Dadford
• South Waterside – Angela Pearson
• Totton North and Netley Marsh – Caroline Rackham
• Totton South and Marchwood – David Harrison
Local Liberal Democrat councillors have long campaigned for fairer funding for social care, investment in crumbling roads, and better public transport links to connect communities across the New Forest.
Crucially, the Liberal Democrats are the only party that can beat the Conservatives across the New Forest, with a strong record of winning locally and providing effective opposition on Hampshire County Council.
Commenting on the announcement, Cllr Malcolm Wade said:
“For too long, the Conservatives have taken the New Forest for granted. By delaying these elections, they have put party interests above the interests of local people. The Liberal Democrats are proud to be offering local people a full team of committed local champions, ready to stand up for our communities and fight for change to improve the services we all rely on. In division after division, it is only the Liberal Democrats who can take on the Conservatives and win for local people.”
The Hampshire County Council elections will now be held in May 2026, with the Liberal Democrats determined to give every resident in the New Forest a genuine alternative.