Labour announces North Shropshire by-election candidate

The election follows the resignation of Conservative MP Owen Paterson, who was found to have breached parliamentary rules on lobbying.

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst was selected as the Conservative candidate on Saturday and Kirsty Walmsley has been chosen to represent the Reform UK party.

Dr Shastri-Hurst would appear to be the favourite in the December 16 by-election with Mr Paterson having secured a 23,000 majority at the last General Election, while the seat has been Conservative for more than 100 years.

The by-election is set to take place on 16 December, with the Liberal Democrats and the Green party expected to announce their candidates shortly.

Presumably, Conservatives will hold.

The vote follows the resignation of Conservative MP Owen Paterson, who was found to have breached parliamentary rules on lobbying.

Former cabinet minister Mr Paterson had held the constituency, a Tory stronghold, since 1997.

These are the candidates who have said they intend to stand for election (listed alphabetically):

Duncan Kerr, Green Party

Duncan Kerr

Duncan Kerr stood for the Green Party in the 2015 and 2017 elections and is a member of Shropshire Council.

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Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrats

Helen MorganIMAGE SOURCE,LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Chartered accountant Helen Morgan of Harmer Hill in Shropshire stood for the party in the 2019 general election.

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Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Conservatives

Dr Neil Shastri-HurstIMAGE SOURCE,CONSERVATIVES

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, a former British Army Medical Officer and honorary NHS consultant who now works as a barrister.

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Kirsty Walmsley, Reform UK

Kirsty WalmsleyIMAGE SOURCE,REFORM UK

Kirsty Walmsley is a former Oswestry councillor and grew up just outside the town.

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Ben Wood, Labour

Ben WoodIMAGE SOURCE,LABOUR

Ben Wood, from Oswestry, started his working life in a local hardware shop.

Now you know … :grinning:

Why do young Conservative males always look like slimy car sales men?