The Conservative Party chairman has said 'everything is to play for' in Southampton when the general election comes.

Richard Holden MP was at Bitterne Conservative Club on Friday with Southampton Itchen candidate Sidney Yankson.

Incumbent Royston Smith is stepping down at the next election - leaving Mr Holden and Labour candidate Darren Paffey to battle over the seat.

Mr Smith won the seat in 2019 with a 4,498 majority - but in 2017 won with a majority of just 31.

Mr Holden told the Echo: “Southampton Itchen has always been a tough seat – I remember Royston squeaking over the line in 2017.

“There is everything to play for. Some areas of the county we are facing the Lib Dems and others Labour.”

Mr Yankson has is a barrister and borough councillor for the Redcliffe ward in London and previously tried to become the MP candidate in North West Leicestershire last year.

Daily Echo: Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Sidney Yankson, and Conservative Party Chairman, Richard HoldenHampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Sidney Yankson, and Conservative Party Chairman, Richard Holden (Image: NQ)Mr Yankson told the Echo: “I have spoken to thousands of residents and been out chatting to the people of Southampton every weekend since January.

“People on the doorstep like the fact that I’m a breath of fresh air. I’m bringing new things to the table.

“The first one is that my past experience has always been about representing people.

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“The other aspect is that I’m very pro-business. Mine and the party’s vision is to grow the economy in Southampton.”

The parliamentary candidate said he had already met with the Chief Executive of Associate British Ports, which has more than 15,000 staff.

He added: “I want to see that go up by another one to two thousand, creating more jobs, more wealth going down the line.

“That will then see residents owning their own homes and the tax that will be generated will help fund the prosperity in public services.

“I’m bringing to Southampton the global business expertise I have gained in London that can stand on the fantastic work that Royston has done.”