The incumbent MP, Sir Peter Viggers, had announced his intention to decline re-election following the parliamentary expenses scandal, in which he gained huge media attention for attempting to claim £1,645 for a duck house.

[1] On 21 May 2009, The Daily Telegraph reported that Sir Peter Viggers, MP for Gosport, had claimed over £30,000 in gardening expenses over three years.

The Chairman of the Gosport Constituency Conservative Association was accused of sexism after he told Channel 4 News that he would happily appoint a female candidate if she were attractive.

[3] On 28 October, it was revealed that Gosport would hold an open primary in December, following a public hustings in the final fortnight of the campaign.

Party Chairman Eric Pickles confirmed the news and noted that, "it is vital to empower local people and allow them to have the final say".