Paddy Ashdown

Ashdown spent eight years working Yeovil before winning it from the Conservatives in 1983, using the Liberals' 'community politics' method: street-by-street leaflets, local action teams and taking up every pothole and planning case. He held the seat until 2001 and taught a generation of Liberal Democrats the technique that let them win seats far beyond their national vote share. His work on behalf of the Westland helicopter workforce, Yeovil's largest employer, was a constant local theme.