David Cameron returned to Basingstoke - a town he got to know well as a child - to launch the campaign for the Conservatives to regain control of Basingstoke and Deane Council.
The Conservatives are the largest group, but the Labour Party and the LibDems, with support from three Independents, control the Council. With one third of the seats up for re-election, the Conservatives need to win three seats to be sure of control.
As a target council, David Cameron spent a morning at the Ark (The North Hampshire Medical Education Trust) based at Basingstoke Hospital, talking to pensioners and meeting Conservative candidates, and the Group Leader Cllr John Leek, and explaining the platform on which the Party would be campaigning.
"High quality services at an affordable price" was one of the slogans. David Cameron spoke of the problems facing those trying to buy in the area, and said he backed shared-ownership as a possible solution for those whose incomes would not stretch to a 100% mortgage.
Pressed about Inheritance Tax, he recognised that many ordinary homes in the area were now drawn into the 40% band for IHT, but said his priority was to get the public finances under control before making any commitment on taxes.
Sir George said that he was delighted that the Party Leader had come to his constituency to launch the campaign, and said he would be canvassing hard over the next four weeks to get Conservative candidates elected.
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Sir George Young Bt MP: Constituency and Parliamentary Website