Mr Willetts was given the unanimous backing of the Havant Conservative Association when the group met for their annual general meeting to approve local and national candidates.

The long-standing MP, who is also the shadow secretary of state for universities and skills, was the only Tory to put himself forward as a candidate.

He said: "It's been a great honour to be the parliamentary candidate for Havant once more.

"I very much hope to be working for Havant at the next election."

Mr Willetts was first elected in 1992 and has held the Havant seat - which covers Hayling Island - since.

The married father-of-two is nicknamed "Two Brains" for his intellect, and recently published a book on social economics.

In his career Mr Willetts has worked at HM Treasury, the Number 10 Policy Unit, the Centre for Policy Studies and served as Paymaster General in the last Conservative government.

He has also previously served as the shadow secretary of state for work and pensions.

Havant Conservative Association met at the Spring arts centre to select their parliamentary candidate..

Chairman Captain Kit Phillips said: "It was a pleasure to endorse our popular Member of Parliament and to launch him into the fray of the coming general election with our unanimous backing."

The Lib Dems have picked Alex Payton, a former Berkshire councillor and mayor, to stand against Mr Willetts.

He beat ex-Portsmouth councillor Alex Bentley to the job.

The 35-year-old told party members it was time to change the face of politics in the borough, which includes Hayling.
"People's trust in MPs has been betrayed by scandals and poor performance," he said.

"Our first job is to restore to politics decency, honesty and fairness."

Mr Payton currently lives in Greenham, near Newbury. He is a practising barrister and often works in Portsmouth County Court.

As a former councillor he campaigned against Post Office closures, health service cuts and council tax increases.

Havant's Conservative councillors say they are planning to fight the local elections on a pledge to freeze council tax by making council efficiency savings without effecting critical frontline services.

TICKETS for a talk on the new book written by the Tory MP are now on sale.

The Pinch, by Havant MP David Willetts, is a look at the baby-boomers generation.

Mr Willetts will give a talk on it at The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre, in East Street, at 7.30pm on March 11. Tickets are £5 call 9247 2700.