Labour picks parliamentary candidate

Labour has selected its new candidate to join the fight to be Worcester’s next MP.

Former city councillor Tom Collins was selected as Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Worcester by party members at a meeting on Sunday (December 11).

The new parliamentary candidate said he was “absolutely honoured” to be selected and declared “the hard work starts right now.”

Speaking after the result was announced: “It is an absolute honour to have been chosen by the local membership to be Labour’s candidate at the next general election and hopefully, Worcester’s next MP.

Mr Collins defeated former Lambeth councillor Mark Williams, who finished second, former West Midlands MEP Neena Gill, deputy leader of Southwark Council Danny Adilypour and Ellie Groves to earn the right to represent Labour at the next general election.

Speaking after the result was announced, Mr Collins said: “The hard work starts right now, and I will work day and night to convince people in the city that I am the best person to represent them in Westminster.”

“People in Worcester have been telling me how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting them – energy bills up, food bills rocketing and taxes up too.

“They are hurting because this chaotic government has run out of ideas. It is time for a change. It is time for Labour.

“A Labour government will work in the interest of ordinary people. Our NHS is on its knees, our schools starved of cash and our economy is about to go into recession.

“After 12 Tory years, I will make the case that it shouldn’t be like this. The Tories have failed people in Worcester. It is time for a Labour government and a Labour MP in Worcester.”

Tom Collins has lived in Worcester for 17 years and served as a councillor representing the city’s Rainbow Hill ward for Labour between 2018 until May.

The city has been represented by Conservative Robin Walker since 2010 after he defeated Mike Foster – who was the first and last Labour MP to be elected in Worcester having held the seat for 13 years from 1997.