Conservatives select a new candidate for Heywood and Middleton constituency

Conservative members in the Heywood and Middleton constituency have selected Laura-Beth Thompson has been selected as the Conservative Party candidate at the next general election.

Laura-Beth, 30, is currently a Conservative councillor in Rossendale, where she lives. She was born in Rochdale and grew up in Whitworth. She trained as a solicitor and is currently working in planning enforcement.

The current MP for the constituency, Chris Clarkson, who was elected in 2019, and was the first-ever Conservative  MP for the seat, announced in June that he would stand down at the next general election. He said that he was not standing again due to boundary changes to the constituency.

At the next general election, the current Heywood and Middleton constituency is set to be replaced by two new seats, Heywood and Middleton North, and Blackley and Middleton South.

The changes will mean the renamed constituency will be made up of the three Heywood wards, the West and North Middleton wards, Castleton, Norden, Bamford and Spotland and Falinge wards.

South Middleton and East Middleton will be hived off to the new ‘Blackley and Middleton South’ constituency.
 

Read more: Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson to stand down at next general electionPublished: 28 June 2023

Speaking after the selection on Saturday 21 October, Laura-Beth said: “I am delighted to be selected as the Conservative candidate for Heywood and Middleton.

“I know people living and working here want a local MP to get on with the job and deliver on the Government’s plans.

“The people’s priorities here are the Government’s priorities and I want to help halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists, and stop the boats.

“Levelling up would be my priority if elected. I would look to hold Andy Burnham to account with his budget following the devolution deal, ensuring Heywood and Middleton gets its fair share of both investment and opportunities.

“As the MP here I would also ensure that I represented the views of residents on such things as the building of new houses and business development sites, ensuring that any such developments  include improvements to local services and infrastructure, to the benefit of the local community.

“I would also working to attract businesses to set up in our industrial parks and work with these companies to keep them here, providing good quality employment within the area.

“Until the next election, I will be working hard to show people here I am the right person to become their MP and help improve the lives of families right across the constituency.”