ONE of the front runners in the race to become the new deputy leader of the Labour party visited Basingstoke last week as part of his campaign.

Deputy leader hopeful and West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson joined around 60 Labour supporters at St Michael’s Church in Basingstoke last Tuesday.

Mr Watson spoke to members about how to improve the party, including a need to put more effort into winning seats across the south and to increase the number of Labour councillors across the south.

He also spoke of the need to build more homes across the country.

The 48-year-old, who played a significant role in bringing the News International phone hacking scandal to light, will go head-to-head with Caroline Flint, Angela Eagle, Stella Creasy and Ben Bradshaw in the race to become the new deputy leader.

South Ham Labour councillor Colin Regan told The Gazette: “He impressed me on the night and he was very good but I had already voted by then. He promised to bring in extra resources to try and win more seats across the south.

“He also likes the idea to build up the party by getting more councillors embedded into the community.”

Buckskin councillor Nigel Pierce added: “I found Tom Watson’s approach refreshing and honest and he answered everybody’s question honestly and in a straight forward manner."

“He was clear on his objectives if he was to become deputy leader and what he felt the objectives were for the Labour party and he was realistic in terms of the way to win an election.”

The result of the contest will be announced along with the leadership result on September 12.