The Eastleigh by-election candidates - Telegraph Her local credentials were somewhat undermined when she was accused of cutting and pasting a description of Eastleigh's history from its Wikipedia page She is a former Labour supporter who once confronted Tony Blair on television over the lack of schools and services for her disabled son. Despite her outspoken nature, she rejects the idea she is a feminist as she "doesn't like labels." She was one of a band of ambitious female wannabe MPs who use to be described as "Cameron's cuties." Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg with Mike Thornton (Getty Images) Mike Thornton (Liberal Democrat) He's a borough councillor who is playing to his strengths of being a local family man who has lived in Eastleigh for decades He is seen as a safe pair of hands, though perhaps not especially charismatic by his party. Like the Tories, he is campaigning to keep Eastleigh's "green spaces." This has prompted accusations of hypocrisy given that he voted for a draft local plan that would put up to 4,700 homes on greenfield land. He says he is favour of homes in the right places and he will protect green space in between villages. One of his key campaign boasts is that local Liberal Democrats have kept council tax from rising for 10 years. A slightly more confusing pledge is that he would fight to cut income tax for local people - surely a decision a bit above his paygrade? He didn't deal well at all with being challenged by students over tuition fees. He blundered over the details of when student fees are wiped out and dismissed one boy's fears he cannot afford university as just a "point of view." Further biographical details are bit thin, but his website says he is a business and development manager who likes tennis and squash. He is also an active member of the local church. Labour's candidate for the Eastleigh by-election, John O'Farrell with Deputy Leader of The Labour Party Harriet Harman (Getty Images) John O'Farrell An author and broadcaster, he 's considered a wildcard. Harriet Harman, the Labour deputy leader, introduced him to students as a man who has done "many worthy things and unworthy things," including writing a book about the trials of being a Labour supporter. He admits he would live in London for most of the week and would probably only want to serve a couple of terms. Challenged over whether he had ever been to Eastleigh before, he recalled once having a pint in a pub in Hamble some years ago. He has come a little unstuck over his lack of local knowledge. He couldn't name any local industries or companies and said he wouldn't play guessing games as he would lose. The details of Labour policy also eluded him at a meeting with Eastleigh students. He had to defer to Ms Harman over a question on what Labour thinks about higher education. He's also not afraid to go off-piste from central party speak, arguing people want lower taxes and headteachers should all be on six-figure salaries. He's happy to go on the attack. On his first day of campaigning, he branded Diane James, the Ukip candidate, "racist" over her comments about Romanians and crime. He also laid into Mrs Hutchings's views on abortion, saying many girls do not know they are pregnant at 10 weeks. He used to have a soft spot for the Liberal Democrats. He once advised his brother to vote tactically for the Lib Dems in a marginal seat to keep out the Tories - much like the one he is now contesting. Writing in 2005, he admitted he was not really cut out to be a politician because he didnt fancy the hard work. Asked about these comments, he says he has changed his mind and appreciates what's required to be an MP. He is the man who reportedly made John Major grey in Spitting Image, wrote for Have I Got News For You, and supplied jokes for Tony Blair. Ukip's Eastleigh by-election candidate Diane James Diane James - UKIP She works in healthcare and campaigns against "the creeping privatisation of the NHS orchestrated by the Conservatives without an electoral mandate." She's not local but has a history of doing well in elections from a standing start. As an independent, she won a council seat previously held by a Tory for 18 years On her first day of campaigning, she caused controversy by calling for a temporary halt to immigration to stop Romanians coming to the UK and committing crimes. She has a giant shop on Eastleigh high street and billboard van promoting her candidacy for Ukip The other candidates: Colin Bex - Wessex Regionalists David Bishop - Elvis Loves Pets Party Jim Duggan - The Peace Party Ray Hall - Beer, Baccy and Crumpet Party Howling "Laud" Hope - Monster Raving Loony William Hill Party Iain McClenann - National Health Action Daz Proctor - Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts Danny Stupple -Independent Michael Walters - The English Democrats - "Putting England First!"