David Chidgey, who has died aged 79, was the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Hampshire, for 11 years from 1994 onwards, and a peer from 2005. With a professional background as a chartered engineer, after entering the House of Commons he quickly became the party’s spokesman on transport at a time when the privatisation of British Rail was being debated fiercely.
At various times he was also the party’s spokesman on employment, and on training, trade and industry. In 2005 he led the successful campaign that blocked plans by major high street banks to increase charges significantly at cash dispensing machines, which would have disproportionally affected poorer people. During his last four years in the Commons he was a member of the Speaker’s panel, occasionally deputising for the Speaker.
