Lib Dems announce new election candidate to replace Jason Zadrozny

Liberal Democrats in Ashfield have selected Philip Smith to be their new Parliamentary candidate in May’s General Election to replace Jason Zadrozny, who is facing child sex abuse allegations.

Father-of-two Philip is a political veteran and was formerly executive deputy mayor of Mansfield and has been a member of Ashfield and Mansfield Liberal Democrats for over 25 years.

The 52-year-old has been a magistrate for over 10 years and says 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.

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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.

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.”