Nick Clegg thinks Lib Dems can hold Eastleigh

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg visited Eastleigh yesterday saying he was confident his party would win the hotly contested by-election.

The Deputy Prime Minister was the first of the big three party leaders to visit the Hampshire constituency that looks to be a close battle between the coalition partners.

But Mr Clegg refused to apologise for the behaviour of former MP Chris Huhne, who has stood down.

Mr Clegg said: “I am confident we will keep hold of this seat but not because I say so but because the people of Eastleigh are telling us that.”

Huhne held the seat for the Lib Dems at the 2010 general election with a majority of 3,864.