Lib Dems fight for North Thanet seat

Mark Barnard stood against Mr Gale in the 2005 election when he polled 6,279 votes, coming third behind Labour but ahead of Tim Stocks for Ukip.

Although he does not live in the area Mr Barnard said since the last election he had continued to be involved in North Thanet affairs.

A spokesman said: “Mark’s roots with North Thanet go deep, his maternal great grandparents lived and worked in Herne Bay and are buried in the cemetery there. His paternal relatives still live in Margate.”

Mr Barnard attacked Mr Gale for having a “cosy relationship” with Kent County Council which “does nothing to address the issues of local concern to people.

He added: “People tell me that they are so frustrated by the lack of representation at national and local level, they feel let down by self-serving MPs lining their own pockets while the rest of us are finding it difficult to make ends meet.”

“My commitment is to be accessible and accountable to local people and to represent issues that matter to them.

“The current cosy relationship between the Tory MP and his friends at the County

Council does nothing to address the issues of concern to local people. We see little improvement in the roads and pavements and there is a need to attract inward investment and jobs.