A WINCHESTER City Council candidate is also standing in the local elections for Exeter - in wards that are more than 120 miles apart.

Harry Johnson-Hill, 21, is the Conservative candidate for Alresford and Itchen Valley. 

He is also standing for election in the Duryard and St James ward in Exeter. 

Having attended the University of Exeter, Mr Johnson-Hill has both a separate term-time address and home address, meaning that he can legally stand for election to both councils.

The move has been criticised by the opposition, who labelled it a 'con on the electorate.' 

Mr Johnson-Hill confirmed to the Chronicle that he is running in both areas - however, he faces strong competition from the Lib Dem candidates. 

In Duryard and St James, the seat is held by Michael Mitchell, who was elected in 2019. 

Cllr Mitchell, a former teacher and university lecturer who has lived in Exeter for over 30 years, received 803 votes in 2019, compared to the Tory candidate's 609. 

The ward was also won by the Lib Dems in 2021. 

Cllr Mitchell said: “From a personal point of view, what is disappointing is that none of this is explained to the electorate at either end and in effect it is a con on the electorate.

"How can you pretend to want to represent people in two different areas without having the decency to tell people that you’re standing in two different areas?”

Simon Egan, from the Green Party, and David Blagden, from Labour, are also standing. 

In Alresford, Mr Johnson-Hill is up against Russell Gordon-Smith from the Lib Dems,  Richard Needham from the Green Party and Tessa Valentine from Labour. 

The seat is currently held by Cllr Gordon-Smith, who won in 2019 with 1,559 votes, compared to the Conservative candidate's 1,365. 

Cllr Gordon-Smith, who has lived in Alresford for 28 years, said: "It is a bit unfair on both places that he is canvassing to get support and people believe that he will be devoted to that area.  

"He would be very hard pushed to meet the demands of both places if he were to win both seats." 

However, Mr Johnson-Hill said that he was committed to both areas and that he would welcome the opportunity either or both provide. 

He said: “I have addresses in both Winchester and Exeter, and ties to both communities.

"Having lived in Alresford & Itchen Valley all my life, I have a strong commitment to this ward. I would welcome the opportunity to serve as a councillor and make important contributions to the community. 

“Conservative representation is important at council level to hold the current administration to account.”