AFTER months of waiting, the Labour Party has selected its parliamentary candidate for the new Bridgwater constituency ahead of the upcoming general election.

Leigh Redman, a Bridgwater Town Councillor as well as leader of the Labour group on Somerset Council, will represent Labour at the election.

He will face Ashley Fox (Conservative) and Claire Sully (Liberal Democrat), both of whom were announced as parliamentary candidates by their respective parties back in 2023.

The new Bridgwater constituency consists mainly of Bridgwater and surrounding areas, but takes on voters from the Burnham and Highbridge areas, which were formerly part of the Wells constituency now set to be known as 'Wells and Mendip Hills'.

Speaking on his selection as Labour's parliamentary candidate for Bridgwater, Cllr Redman said: "I think if you had to write a list of what we would need from a candidate to be the Bridgwater and Burnham MP, it must include, a candidate that is truly local, someone able to demonstrate a long resume of community work and actions in the area, they must be rooted in the constituency - that really is me to the core.

"To hear that I had been selected to be the Labour party candidate for this constituency, my home town, fills me with joy.

"I was born and have lived, all my life in Bridgwater.

"I have worked hard as a local community champion and councillor for more than 30 years in unions and councils.

"I believe that Bridgwater, with the surrounding towns and villages, really is the beating heart of Somerset."

Cllr Redman describes himself as 'a fighter, a socialist, a diplomat, and an effective campaigner for local people', and cites his life in Bridgwater and experience working in local government as reasons why he would make a good Member of Parliament.

"We need a Bridgwater voice in Westminster, not another voice of Westminster in Bridgwater," he said.

"I am dyslexic, identified late - I had to find ways to compensate all my life, my unseen disability makes me better at what I do! I bring a different and a better look on life.

"I am leader of the Labour group at Somerset Council, a council I have been a member of for eleven years.

"I was a member of Sedgemoor council for the last 12 years of its existence until absorbed into the new Somerset Unitary.

"I know the constituency, I know the people in our communities, from village to large town, from workplace to workplace.

"I am honoured to have been chosen to be the Labour candidate for the new seat.

"I will work hard to be the candidate that Builds a Better Bridgwater."