Adrian Collett, Prospective Lib Dem MP for Aldershot Constituency

Adrian Collett has been on Hampshire County Council since 1983 and has been Liberal Democrat Group Leader since 1997. In the 2005 County elections Hampshire had the largest increase in Lib Dems outside Devon and Cornwall.

Adrian campaigned successfully for Farnborough's Pinewood Infant School to be rebuilt after Hampshire Conservatives decided to close it following a major fire.

He also campaigned for noise barriers to protect residents living near the M3 in Farnborough after the Conservative Council and MP had given up. As a result they had to treat this seriously and the barriers are now in place.

Adrian campaigned for a Centre for Health following closure of Aldershot's Cambridge Military Hospital - the largest health centre in the country is soon to open! He is now campaigning for this to include a minor injuries unit, as originally promised.

When Lloyds TSB announced they were closing their Blackwater branch, Adrian launched a campaign to save it. Not only were they persuaded to stay open part time, but they have now reverted to full time opening!

Adrian is a member of Hampshire Police Authority and chair of its Finance Committee. Under his chairmanship, 657 more Police Officers, Police Staff and PCSOs have been recruited in Hampshire, with many other officers being taken off backroom work and returned to frontline policing. There are now Safer Neighbourhood teams of PCs and PCSOs across every community in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Adrian was on Hart Council from 1980 to 1992. He was Group Leader for 10 years and Council Leader from 1986 to 1988.

Adrian has fought Aldershot since 1992, seeing the Conservative majority reduce at each election, from 19,188 to just 5,334 in 2005. His main policy interests are civil liberties and justice, the environment, electoral reform and foreign affairs.

When not campaigning, Adrian enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, fellwalking, reading and gardening.