Labour has selected its parliamentary candidate to challenge Grant Shapps and the Conservatives for the Welwyn Hatfield MP seat.

Andrew Lewin was voted as the preferred candidate by members at Welwyn Garden City's Ludwick Centre on Saturday, beating competition from Stuart Brady, Hannah McHugh and Julian Vaughan.

"It is an honour to have been selected as the Labour parliamentary candidate for my home constituency," said Mr Lewin.

"I understand the challenges local people are facing, because I experience them myself as a resident.

"After 13 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.

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"It is time for change in our community.

"I’ll run an optimistic and high profile campaign, setting out the difference a Labour MP and a Labour government can make to Welwyn Hatfield. The hard work starts now."

Mr Lewin was born at the old QE2 hospital and lives in Welwyn Garden City with his wife and young family, working in social housing and supporting organisations in the borough, including the Hatfield foodbank at Gracemead Church.

He was selected by members despite historic tweets emerging, dating back to 2009 when he was a Liberal Democrat candidate, in which he criticised New Labour.