Now Forest has two would-be Tory MPs

IF A young couple achieve their political ambitions, Newham Bottom, near Ruardean, will have two MPs as new neighbours.

Margaret Harper, wife of Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for the Forest of Dean Mark Harper, has just been selected to run for Swansea West as their MP in the coming general election.

Speaking from the Tory Party Conference at Bournemouth she told the Review it was "wonderful" to be selected for the Swansea seat and have a chance to challenge Labour policy in Wales.

Mrs Harper, 28, said of the prospect of being a household of two MPs: "It's challenging, but we're both political animals and feel able to give 100 per cent."

The couple, who both work in Swindon, are enjoying the conference, which follows visits to South Wales by Margaret who has been helping to run a by election.

She said they would have to juggle their lifestyle by going to and from work and helping their constituents but it was a task they were looking forward to.

"I believe we would be the only married couple of MPs," she said. "And certainly I think we would be the youngest couple to achieve this."

Mr Harper was last year selected as Conservative candidate to fight the Forest of Dean seat held by Diana Organ. Before the last election the seat was held by Conservative Paul Marland.