Teacher named as Labour candidate

Labour has announced teacher Joe Emmett as its candidate for Hereford & South Herefordshire in July's General Election

A teacher has been named as the Labour Party candidate for Hereford & South Herefordshire.

Joe Emmett has worked with the party in the area, organising events and speaking on its behalf.

Mr Emmett, who lives with his family in Cusop near the Welsh border, recently ran the length of the River Wye to raise awareness about the environmental challenges it faces.

"Our community deserves a representative who not only understands our needs but is also deeply invested in creating a better future for all," he said.

He continued: "I am committed to advocating for improved public services, affordable and social housing, environmental sustainability and fair funding for our county."

Current Conservative MP Jesse Norman told the BBC he was "delighted" Labour had nominated Mr Emmett as its candidate for the general election.

He also said: "It is true that Hereford and South Herefordshire needs an MP who is deeply embedded in the community and oriented towards its long-term future.

"That is what I have been for the past 14 years, whether leading on our new NMITE (New Model in Technology and Engineering) university, supporting the Stronger Towns Fund on investments in the cycle track, skate park and new electric buses, or getting the government to release its new £35m action plan to clean up the River Wye."

In November, he resigned as Minister of State for the Department for Transport and in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he explained he was looking forward to more freedom to campaign on the River Wye and other crucial issues.

The other confirmed candidates for Hereford & South Herefordshire are as follows:

• Nigel Ely - Reform UK

• Dan Powell - Liberal Democrats

• Diana Toynbee - The Green Party

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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