THE Labour Party has announced that Daniel Aldridge (Dan) is its candidate for the Weston constituency at the next general election.

Daniel, 39, was selected from a shortlist of three by local party members at a hustings event held at The Royal Hotel on Wednesday, March 13.

The other short-listed candidates include former MEP Alex Mayer and accountant Chris Wongsosaputro.

Daniel, who is originally from Stoke-on-Trent, moved to Weston in 2001 with his parents and siblings.

He studied for his A-levels at Weston College, then read psychology at the University of Exeter and completed an MSc at Northumbria University alongside working with children with autism.

Daniel works as the Head of Policy and Public Affairs at BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.

Patrick Keating has been named as the candidate for the Weston Lib Dems. The Weston Mercury will be contacting other political parties in due course.

Speaking about the selection, Weston Labour Party chairperson, Cllr Hugh Malyan, said: “Dan is a great parliamentary candidate with lots to offer the residents of Weston. He cares passionately about Weston and our people and his family is all rooted here.

"He has a wealth of experience and a proven track record of campaigning.

“He will make an excellent member of parliament and fight hard for Weston. I look forward to working with him to ensure we elect our first-ever Labour member of parliament."

North Somerset Council Labour Group Leader, Cllr Catherine Gibbons, added: “Daniel is a hard-working local man whose work ethic and determination to deliver will transform the lives of residents in Weston-super-Mare.

"He is a breath of fresh air and a solutions-driven community activist and leader.

"His kindness, warmth and passion to serve is why you will always see him going the extra mile for people. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with him in our movement as a colleague and friend.

“I’ve seen his tenacity and advocacy of Weston in Westminster already in my role as Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and I know that if we elect him as our first Labour MP, he'd do everything in his power to bring positive changes to the town and ensure no one is left behind.”

Daniel concluded: “I’m so grateful to have been selected as our parliamentary candidate by local party members this week.

“While it won’t be easy to win here for the first time, I know Weston and our people, this town is crying out for meaningful change and we will deliver it."