Blur drummer new Labour candidate for Mid Sussex

Dave Rowntree was previously a councillor for Norfolk County Council

The drummer from Britpop band Blur has been selected as the Labour candidate for Mid Sussex.

Dave Rowntree said he was "absolutely thrilled" to be chosen.

Mr Rowntree, who has played with the band since its formation in 1988, was elected as a Norfolk County Council councillor in 2017.

A spokesperson for Mid Sussex's Labour party said: "We think Dave will be an excellent and a very successful candidate."

Blur has had many hits including Parklife and Girls & Boys. In 2012 the group received a Brit Award for outstanding contribution to music.

"Dave vows to provide the energy and vision the area so desperately needs," the local Labour Party said.

Mr Rowntree had also previously been the Labour candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster constituency.

In the 2019 general election the Conservative Party received 53.3% of the votes in Mid Sussex with Mims Davies being elected as MP.

Labour got 17.9% of the vote behind the Liberal Democrats getting 24.3%.

Mid Sussex's parliamentary constituency boundaries will change for the next general election It will lose East Grinstead but take in Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint and Fulking from Arundel and South Downs.

Kristy Adams is the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservatives, Alison Bennett is representing the Liberal Democrats, and Deanna Nicholson is running for the Green Party. Gary Johnson is standing for Reform UK.