New Lib Dem candidate is announced

Philip Smith, (52), was formerly Executive Deputy Mayor of Mansfield and has been a member of Ashfield and Mansfield Liberal Democrats for over 25 years.

The father-of-two has been a Magistrate for well over 10 years and one of his priorities will be the fight for a safer Ashfield and Eastwood. Outside of politics, Phil runs a business in Stanton Hill in the heart of the Constituency. He is a former banking IT analyst.

Philip said, “I am delighted to have been selected to fight what is a key seat for the Liberal Democrats. They have a wonderful team that have I have seen grow from just a few dozen at the General Election in 2010 to now over 500. At the last General Election, we were only 192 votes away from winning and we fully intend to finish the job this time. We will finish the job in May and give Ashfield and Eastwood the MP they deserve.”

Former candidate Jason Zadrozny was dropped by the party after historical sex offence allegations.

The former Ashfield District Council leader said he will fight to clear his name and ‘vehemently’ refutes the allegations.

Local Lib Dem Chair Samantha Deakin said, “This has been an extremely difficult week for the Liberal Democrats here in Ashfield and Eastwood. Whilst we fully back Jason Zadrozny’s campaign to clear his name - we need to give people a chance to vote for change in May. Only the Liberal Democrats can deliver this and in Philip Smith, we have somebody we are all confident can continue our campaign for better, stronger, greener and cleaner Ashfield and Eastwood.”