Ex Heywood & Middleton MP expected to stand in West Midlands at General Election

Monday, 3 June 2024 22:32

By Adam Clark

Chris Clarkson, the former Conservative MP for Heywood & Middleton is expected to stand in the West Midlands for the upcoming General Election.

Mr Clarkson said last June that he wouldn't contest the new seat of Heywood & Middleton North due to boundary changes.

He won a majority of 663 in the December 2019 general election, gaining the constituency from Labour.

@tomorrowsmps on X, formerly Twitter is reporting that Clarkson has won a three-horse race for the seat.

🔵STRATFORD-UPON-AVON: Chris Clarkson, a sitting MP who last year announced he wouldn't fight his current Lancashire seat of Heywood & Middleton, was picked tonight as Conservative candidate.
— @Tomorrow'sMPs (@tomorrowsmps) June 3, 2024

He's yet to make a public statement on running for the seat in Stratford-Upon-Avon, which has been held by the Conservatives since 1997.

Nadhim Zahawi has held the seat since winning a near 20,000 majority in 2010.

Laura-Beth Thompson will be standing as the Conservative candidate in Heywood & Middleton North, whilst Elsie Blundell will stand for Labour.

Others include Chris Furlong (Independent), Steve Potter (Reform UK), Tom Shaw (Liberal Democrats) & Luanne Thornton (Green).

Candidates will be formally declared this Friday.

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