Liberal Democrat big hitter Sir Menzies Campbell said his party cannot consider losing the Eastleigh by-election, as he joined the campaign trail yesterday.

The former Lib Dem leader was in Eastleigh, canvassing votes alongside the party’s candidate Mike Thornton.

The duo were knocking on doors in Arthur Road and The Quadrangle as the party looks to maintain a stronghold on the constituency, which has been represented by a Lib Dem MP for the past 19 years.

But Sir Menzies told the Daily Echo that this would not lead to complacency.

Sir Menzies said: “We don’t contemplate disasters, or losing. We are not in any sense complacent, that’s why we are working as hard as we are, putting so many resources into this by-election.”

Asked why residents should vote for Mr Thornton, Sir Menzies said: “Mike brings a lot of local knowledge, he brings a lot of common sense.

“I think he would be an outstanding representative for Eastleigh.”