FORMER General Election candidate Shaun Stammers has been elected Parliamentary spokesperson for the Forest of Dean Constituency Labour Party.

The university lecturer from Mitcheldean, who increased the Labour vote in June’s election by 11 per cent to 35.9 per cent, said: “I am proud to have been asked and very pleased to take up the challenge of speaking for Labour over the coming months across the constituency.

“I will bring every ounce of my passion for change. The task is to build support for our aspirations for opportunities for our young, dignity for those in need of support and an economy that works for everyone.

“We will always ask the question, what works for us in the Forest of Dean. Tory policies have taken an average of £3,300 in value from wages in the Forest of Dean since the crash.

“The NHS is in jeopardy. The education service is failing our children with academic achievement behind county averages. I will be building the case for change from local to national government.’

Susan Holmes, chair of the constituency Labour Party, added: “Whilst the Tories did not get the majority they hoped for at the general election, and a mandate for continuing the failed policy of austerity, we understand the size of the challenge to beat the Tories nationally and locally.

“We have, therefore elected Shaun to take our message out and about to win hearts and minds for a change in the Forest of Dean.”