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David Cameron visits Wainscott at start of series of visits to Rochester and Strood ahead of by-election sparked by Reckless resignation

Prime Minister David Cameron has met the local community of Strood in the first of a series of visits to the Rochester and Strood constitutency.

He is said to be planning an unprecedented number of visits to Rochester and Strood during the by-election campaign - with the first taking place today.

The Tory leader has been visiting the Wainscott memorial Hall and attending a local community residents' meeting.

David Cameron during his last visit to Strood
David Cameron during his last visit to Strood

Speaking today, he told the gathering Mark Reckless's actions in defecting as Tory MP let the people down.

But he added: "I am not standing here saying we have solved all the country's problems - or even all Rochester and Strood problems."

He said Britain was a tolerant and open country, but immigration in recent years had been too high.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting he said: "In the forthcoming by-election, if you vote Ukip you are really just giving Nigel Farage the chance for a long gloat in the pub, and another mark forward to Ed Miliband being installed in Downing Street.

"Whereas if you vote Conservative you are going to hava chance of one of two extremely able candidates that will stand up and fight for this local area."

He was joined by the party's two potential candidates - Medway councillor Kelly Tolhurst and Sevenoaks councillor Anna Firth.

Kelly Tolhurst said she was "born and bred here, went to school here and am passionate about the area... I am one of you."

But she said it was funny to be back in the hall where she used to have brownie meetings.

Video: David Cameron visits Rochester and Strood today

Meanwhile, Anna Firth talked about getting Medway Maritime hospital out of special measures, creating more primary school places and looking after the countryside.

It comes as Ukip challenges the amount the Tories are believed to be spending on the by-election campaign.

In a clear signal that the Conservatives are determined to take the fight to Ukip, the Prime Minister is expected to make five visits over the coming weeks.

The blitz of visits - which will also see other senior figures on the campaign trail - vividly underlines just what is at stake for all the parties.

Voters have already received a letter from Mr Cameron urging them to support the party at the ballot on November 20.

David Cameron addresses the meeting at the Wainscott Memorial Hall
David Cameron addresses the meeting at the Wainscott Memorial Hall

He has told his MPs that the contest would be "very, very hard" and the party is desperate to avoid a second successive by-election defeat.

An open hustings meeting took place last night, where the public as well as party members had the chance to quiz the two shortlisted candidates: Medway councillor Kelly Tolhurst and Sevenoaks councillor Anna Firth.

But the decision on which of these two will be adopted will not be known until next week after a postal ballot in which every resident in the constituency has a chance to vote.

Mark Reckless has a majority of nearly 10,000 and if the bookmakers and polls are any guide appear at this stage to be odds on favourite to win when the election is held on November 20.

  • Follow Paul Francis on Twitter @PaulOnPolitics from the visit

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