Leigh Redman has been selected to stand for Labour in Bridgwater

Leigh Redman to stand in new Bridgwater constituency for Labour

Paul JonesApril 9, 20240 Comment0

LEIGH Redman – Labour stalwart and Leveller columnist – has been selected to represent the party at the next general election.

A Somerset Councillor, Leigh will be hoping to win the newly-created Bridgwater constituency for the Labour party when the nation next heads to the polls.

“I am proud to be able to announce that I have been selected to be the (Labour) parliamentary candidate for the Bridgwater and Burnham constituency,” he said.

“This has been confirmed by our regional director.

“I am truly honoured to have been chosen to fight for my home town.

“I look forward to working with all members and volunteers to build a campaign, ready for the general election when called, that will give the beating heart of Somerset a Labour voice in Westminster.”

The next poll will be the first time the seat has been fought, with the disappearance of the Bridgwater & West Somerset seat, which has been represented by Conservative Ian Liddell-Grainger for the past 14 years.

And the latest forecast by polling website Electoral Calculus shows he has a good chance of winning.

The site gives Labour a 68% chance of taking the seat, with the Conservatives in second place, on 29%.

Mr Redman will be up against Conservative candidate Sir Ashley Fox, a former MEP.

Sir Ashley Fox is the Conservative candidate in Bridgwater

“My family comes from Somerset, and I am delighted to have been chosen by the membership of Bridgwater,” he said after his selection.

“Bridgwater is a great place for businesses large and small to invest. I want to make sure that the Government is always on their side.”

The Lib Dems, meanwhile, will field another Somerset Councillor, Clare Sully, at the general election.

“The impressive recent election record for the Liberal Democrats in Somerset and elsewhere has seen swathes of traditional Tory voters switch to the party,” she said.