Labour parliamentary candidate Andrew Lewin has declared he will "work tirelessly" if he is selected to challenge Grant Shapps for Welwyn Hatfield MP seat.
Mr Lewin is up against Stuart Brady, Hannah McHugh and Julian Vaughan, with party members to select their candidate at the Ludwick Centre in Welwyn Garden City on Saturday.
A Welwyn Hatfield resident, Mr Lewin has received backing from Labour councillors including Lynn Chesterman, James Broach and Pankit Shah, and believes his understanding of the borough makes him the right man for the job.
"I am proud to be the only candidate on the shortlist who lives in the constituency and believe my combination of local and national experience means I am best placed to take on Grant Shapps at the next General Election," he told the Welwyn Hatfield Times.
READ MORE: Welwyn Hatfield Labour candidate pledges to be 'voice of working people'
"My campaign has earned an endorsement from the UNISON trade union and declarations of support from Labour councillors Lynn Chesterman, James Broach and Pankit Shah.
"Professionally, I have led local and national campaigns, worked in the private and public sectors and supported a number of charities, including the food bank at Gracemead Church in Hatfield.
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"I understand the challenges our borough faces because I experience them myself as a resident. After thirteen years of the Conservatives in government, we’re all waiting longer to be seen on the NHS, have an escalating housing crisis and feel poorer every month as the cost of living crisis bites harder.
"Grant Shapps has spent the majority of the last 13 years around the Cabinet table, taking jobs with Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and even Liz Truss.
"He’s had years to make a difference for the people of Welwyn Hatfield and we have nothing to show for it.
READ MORE: Labour candidate hoping to be an 'energising change' from Grant Shapps
"Even worse, we have growing inequality, with a near 10 year gap in life expectancy now existing between Hatfield Central and Welwyn Village.
"It is time for change, we need a Labour government and a Labour MP. If selected, I’ll run an optimistic and high profile campaign and work tirelessly for all parts of the constituency.
"I’ll always be a champion for those in greatest need and will do all I can to make Welwyn Hatfield a fairer, greener and more equal community for all of us who live here."
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