MARTIN Kyrle made it perfectly clear after losing his seat in the 2003 local elections at West End that his local seat was not important.

He told the Echo reporter "I have an MP to look after, that's more important than my local seat".

At the recent local elections I asked Lib Dem Mr Kyrle why he was standing as a candidate at the local election in Eastleigh.

He replied: "I have two MPs to look after and have not got much time to be a councillor, my party wanted me to stand.'' When the results were announced the Labour candidate was elected by just six votes and after three recounts.

Mr Kyrle can now concentrate on his two MPs, a job he enjoys.

SAM SNOOK, Eastleigh.