LIB DEM stalwart Sir Norman Lamb says Colchester candidate Martin Goss would be the perfect ‘local champion’ to represent the city in parliament.

Sir Norman, 66, MP for North Norfolk between 2001-19 and a former Government Health Minister, visited Colchester yesterday and joined Martin and some of his campaign team on a canvassing route.

And he told residents in Bergholt Road that Martin was a great example of a hard-working local councillor who would make an excellent MP.

Sir Norman said: “Martin really is a local champion for Colchester and I know people here will not be disappointed if he is elected on July 4^th.

“A constituent MP can make a huge difference. They know the local area and are embedded in the local area. You can trust them because they have lived and grown up in the area and really want the best for the constituency.

“Local people feel they have more trust in someone who is ‘one of their own’ and that is especially relevant in today’s society where sadly there is less trust in politicians and the political system.

“It requires someone with integrity who is willing to get stuck in and work hard. MPs representing their ‘home’ town or city often show more independence for their community.”

Sir Norman, who now campaigns for metal health and well-being organisations, was a candidate in the Liberal Democrat party leader contest in 2015, narrowly losing out to Tim Farron.

He has been very impressed by his party’s 2024 campaign, led by Sir Ed Davey, and added: “It has been excellent so far and appears to be winning over lots of people.

“The manifesto promises seem to connect with the public, especially on important issues like the future of the NHS, social care and the sewage spills polluting our waterways.”

Martin said: “The residents here enjoyed meeting and chatting with Sir Norman, someone who speaks with such authority on politics, elections but more importantly social issues.

“It was great that such a former leading figure within the party took time out to visit Colchester and I, personally, have learned so much from what he had to say.”