Labour choose their man

LABOUR have chosen a former special advisor to Government Minister Tessa Jowell to be their prospective parliamentary candidate for Warrington South following Helen Southworth’s decision not to contest the seat at the next General Election.
Nick Bent, (pictured) who has also worked as a research assistant to MP Paul Boateng, said: “I’m proud to have been selected by the members of Warrington South . The campaign starts here to keep Warrington Labour and I will be fighting on the issues that matter.
“I’ve had the privelege to work for Labour Government ministers and I learned from them that you must engage and be accessible in the constituency to be effective and credible in the Commons. I will stand up and fight for a fair deal for all in Warrington South.
“I believe Warrington has an exciting future: the Government has set clear choices for the future that protect Warrington schools, the NHS and the Police. But there’s no room for complacency.
“Labour has taken action to support the economy, helping businesses and families through the downturn. I am optimistic about the coming year but the recovery is fragile and we need to make the right choices.
“Here in Warrington, people are beginning to see what happens when the Tories and Lib Dems win power; the Council has a £10m budget deficit; Ofsted says child protection is a national disgrace; there’s been cuts to voluntary sector grants and even ramping up of burial charges.
“In this year’s election there will be a big choice about the change we want for Britain: to create an age of aspiration or an age of austerity.”
Steve Wright, Chairman of Warrington South Labour Party, said: “We’re delighted to have selected Nick Bent and I’m confident that whenever the election comes Labour now has the best candidate for Warrington South.
“I would wish to express my thanks and appreciation to all the other candidates who have conducted themselves admirably throughout the selection process.
“I’m proud that Labour has held this seat since 1992 and we’re delighted that in Nick we have someone who has a deep understanding of how Westminister and Whitehall work and who will stand up and fight for Warrington South.
“At the next General Election there’s a clear choice: a vote for anyone else locally would be supporting a Tory win nationally and I know people do not want that.”
Nick is currently a Director of national charity Oasis Community Learning. He is a former Special Advisor to Minister Tessa Jowell at the Department for Culture Media and Sport where he worked for more than four years.
Born and bred in nearby Altrincham in Cheshire, Nick left his role as a Special Advisor to seek selection as a candidate in his home area.
Previously he worked as a research assistant to MP Paul Boateng.
One of the first to congratulate him on his appointment was Warrington North MP Helen Jones (pictured above).
Helen said: “I congratulated Nick on his selection as Labour’s PPS for Warrington South. He is an excellent candidate and will serve the people of Warrington South well. I look forward to working with him in the lead up to the General Election and as MP for Warrington South afterwards.”