The Liberal Democrats have announced their candidate to fight Bim Afolami in the next general election.

Chris Lucas has been unveiled this morning, Saturday (October 7) at an event in Hitchin Market Place.

Mr Lucas is already a local LibDem Councillor for Priory Ward and is very keen to take on this new challenge. He lives with his two sons in the centre of Hitchin and he works as a Lecturer at North Herts College Hitchin Campus as a Business and Law lecturer. Both of his sons are in Hitchin Boys School.

"I believe we have a once in a generation chance to provide our area with the Liberal voice it deserves," said Mr Lucas, "and in doing so, start to reverse the 13 years of Tory neglect. This means putting in place a leader to build the right team, raise the money we need and fight the campaigns that matter to the people of Hitchin and nearby villages.

"Not only do I have the skills needed to do this, but I have written the action plan and I'm already starting to implement it.

"As your prospective Member of Parliament, I will deliver even more. I will support local teams to build capacity, double our membership and increase activity across the new constituency."

In May 2022, Chris and his new team of activists helped elect him to NHDC winning a seat off the Tories with a 29% swing. This is the sort of leadership we will need to turn the parliamentary seat gold.

Mr Lucas added: "Working with County Councillor Keith Hoskins, I helped secure a fully funded Lib Dem campaign office in the heart of Hitchin - something we never managed to do when we were a target seat."

Chris is an experienced advocate with a track record of helping individuals and communities.

Chris is a keen supporter of Hitchin Rugby Club and is on the management committee of the King George V recreation ground. Chris says, "Far too many Tory MPs seem to be in it for themselves.

"I want to be an MP whose focus is on the needs of my constituents, not on milking the system at Westminster."