A space scientist is hoping that voters gravitate towards his name on the polling card at this month's Rutland by-election. 

Dr Jonathan Nichols, who is a lecturer at the University of Leicester, is one of four candidates aiming to take the seat vacated by Green Party councillor Hans Zollinger-Ball in the county council's Barleythorpe by-election. 

Standing for the Liberal Democrats, the party currently in control of the council, Dr Nichols said he has been motivated to stand by the actions of previous and present national government. 

He said: "I care deeply about our community and our county. I've lived locally for over 15 years and I am proud to be raising my young family here. Rutland is a special place, and I want to make sure it's the very best it can be for the next generation. But we all know that our county is facing serious challenges. 

"After decades of underinvestment and complacency from the Conservatives, both locally and nationally, we're left paying some of the highest council tax bills in the country, while services are cut and facilities – like our much-loved leisure centre, where I was a member – are forced to close. Many of us hoped that a Labour government might finally deliver the support we need, but things have only got worse.  

"That's why I'm standing for election – to give our community, and our county, the strong local voice we need fighting for us." 

The party says his priorities include: 

• bringing the roads and pavements up to standard; 
• improving access to local NHS services; 
• protecting green spaces and holding developers accountable to local communities. 

He will also commit to holding regular advice surgeries, so residents can have direct access to their council representative. 

He said: "This election will be incredibly close. With no Labour or Green candidate – and an Independent who was until recently a Tory himself – the only way to deliver real change is by backing me and the Lib Dems on 24th July." 

The other candidates standing are Andy Burton, independent; Andrew Dinsmore, Conservative and Declan McCarthy for Reform UK. 

This by-election follows one last November, in which the Lib Dems narrowly beat the Conservatives.