Former Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew has been unveiled as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the Daventry constituency.
Mr Andrew, 52, last year said he would not stand in the new Leeds West and Pudsey constituency, following the abolition of the Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough constituency.
Mr Andrew, a former Leeds city councillor, announced on social media on Monday: “Absolutely delighted to have been selected as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the Daventry Constituency. Really looking forward to meeting lots of residents and visiting local community organisations and businesses.”
Daventry, in Northamptonshire, has been a Conservative safe seat since 1974 and had been held by former Tory chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris since 2010 until his decision to stand down last month.
Mr Andrew signed off as Pudsey’s MP in May. In a statement, he said: “Now that a general election has been called, my time as the MP for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough is coming to an end.
“I know for some they will be delighted, but it has been the biggest honour and privilege of my life to serve the constituency that I have called home for over two decades.
“I owe so much to so many people, not least my partner Robin for his amazing support over the last 14 years and all the campaigners who helped me in each election, and especially my parliamentary and constituency team who work so hard. To Stephanie, Penny, Stacy, Dawn and Jack I say thank you – you’ve been brilliant.
“I am so grateful, too, to the people of the constituency who do so much amazing work in our communities, and to all the Conservative councillors and volunteers who it has been a honour to work with.
“I am genuinely sorry that the constituency will no longer exist – it’s been a blast!”
Mr Andrew had been Pudsey’s MP since 2010, following a 13-year run by Labour’s Paul Truswell.
The seat was abolished for the 2024 general election. The Calverley and Farsley, and Pudsey wards were combined with the Armley, Bramley and Stanningley wards from the also abolished constituency of Leeds West to form Leeds West and Pudsey. The Guiseley and Rawdon, and Horsforth wards were transferred to a reconfigured Leeds North West constituency.
A full list of candidates from the Leeds West and Pudsey constutuency on 4 July can be found here.
Chicken?
“It’s been a blast” – well I’m glad he enjoyed himself! Scarpering down south to a safe seat because he knows he’d be toast up here.
Well, it’s certainly not been a blast for those who have suffered under the incompetency and downright cruelty of his government. Never come back here Mr Andrews!
Typical,Stuart Andrew running away from the people who voted for him for all those years because he dare not face a strong opponent and risk losing his seat.I wonder how his Tory colleague feels getting an outsider parachuted in who doesn’t live there or know the people of the area and there concerns.Hope he’s happy there and enjoys his rishi reward.
Apparently he is known as the ‘Hung’ parliament
So a labour MP next for us then