Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has been in Poole this afternoon.
Accompanied by BCP Council Leader, Cllr Vikki Slade, he toured the offices and warehouse of Poole Bay Holdings in Fleetsbridge.
Cllr Slade is also the party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Mid Dorset and North Poole, currently held by the Conservatives.
Sir Ed confirmed the party saw the seat as a key target in the forthcoming General Election.
He told Bournemouth One: “It’s a seat that the Liberal Democrats have held before.
“Vikki Slade has got a great reputation, so, absolutely, it’s one of the seats we’re working really hard on here in Dorset.”
The Lib Dem Leader also ruled out any suggestion of being in coalition with the Conservatives in the event of a hung parliament after the next General Election.
He said: “There’s not a prospect at all of us working with the Conservatives.
“I’m afraid that they are no longer the Conservative Party that most people knew.
“They’re some weird fringe party now.
“They’re so disorganised and divided now amongst themselves and that’s why they can’t really govern our country.
“I think that’s one of the reasons the government has been so bad.
“They can’t agree among themselves and they’ve got to go.”
Cllr Slade said it was good to welcome Sir Ed back to Poole.
She said: “It’s fantastic to have Ed here again.
“It’s my second visit to Poole Bay Holdings and to show Ed great local manufacturing businesses is just a real joy.
“Ed is always such a hands-on leader.
“He’s really got a handle on what it is we need from our party.”
Sir Ed Davey, centre, with (left to right) Ian Girling, Chief Executive, Dorset Chamber; Mike McKenna, Chief Executive, Poole Bay Holdings; Cllr Vikki Slade, BCP Council Leader; Martyn Bright, Managing Director, Poole Bay Holdings. Picture: Bournemouth One.